Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hunter Rollins

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hunter Rollins

Greene County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

End of Watch Wednesday, June 24, 1925

Add to My Heroes

Thomas Hunter Rollins

Deputy Sheriff Hunter Rollins was shot and killed from ambush after raiding two stills in the Paint Creek section of Greene County.

The six-man raiding party were in a car leaving the scene when they were ambushed by eight moonshiners hiding in bushes nearby. Four of the officers, including Deputy Rollins and his father, were shot. His father and two deputies were seriously wounded. The subjects who opened fire fled into the mountains.

A week later eight moonshiners, one who was only 12-years-old, were arrested and charged in connection with Deputy Rollins' murder. Three escaped from the Greenville Jail on July 12, 1925. One of the three, the ringleader, age 23, was shot and killed two weeks later by Greene County deputies and three North Carolina deputies when he was ordered to throw up his hands and pointed a shotgun at them instead. On April 21, 1937, another escapee was captured in the Paint Creek area where the ambush took place. He was jailed for murder.

Of the eight, three were charged with murder including the one who was shot and killed. The other five were charged with accessory to murder, manufacturing liquor, and several other illegal liquor violations.

Deputy Rollins was survived by his wife.

Bio

  • Age 25
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender One shot and killed; Two charged with mu

Most Recent Reflection

View all 8 Reflections

You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service to greene County. You had a dangerous job and gave your life for it.

Officer K. Collins
Knox county SRO

June 24, 2020

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.