Patrol Officer Lester Woodrow "Tarzan" Gwinn

Lester Woodrow "Tarzan" Gwinn

Officer Lester Gwinn was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated a domestic disturbance call involving a man and his ex-wife. As the officers entered the home the male suspect pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Gwinn in the chest five times. Both officers returned fire killing the suspect.

Officer Gwinn was a World War II veteran. He earned the Silver Star, the Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and marksmanship medals while serving as a sniper in the Pacific. He is survived by his wife and son. He is buried in New Gray Cemetery in Knoxville.