Gatlinburg Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Saturday, June 14, 1975
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 14, 1975
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Paroled
Patrolman Jerry Huskey was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect for drug possession on current-day East Parkway in Gatlinburg.
After finding drugs in one of the suspects' socks, Patrolman Huskey was searching the suspect's other sock when the suspect snatched the Patrolman's service weapon from the holster. The suspect resisted arrest and shot Patrolman Huskey in the ensuing struggle. The suspect fled the scene but was run down by a civilian near the scene and arrested by another officer.
On September 30, 1976, the 20-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled at some point after his last mug shot on June 16, 2020.
Patrolman Huskey had served with the Gatlinburg Police Department for two years. He was survived by his parents, three brothers, and fiancée.