Patrolman James Solon Hildreth

James Solon Hildreth

Patrolman Jim Hildreth was shot and killed trying to apprehend a group of suspects in an attempted vehicle theft on Rock Spring Road.

Patrolman Hildreth was hit by a rain of bullets from a group of teenagers. The fatal shot to the officer was a shot between the eyes in the exchange of bullets with occupants of a get-a-way car which was leaving the scene of a theft attempt. He died a few hours later in a Knoxville hospital.

Four boys and two girls were apprehended a short time later. Two of the boys, ages 19 and 18, were convicted of voluntary manslaughter. One was sentenced to 2 to 5 years and the other to 2 years in prison. The other two, ages 19 and 17, were convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to one year in the county jail. The girls were released.

Patrolman Hildreth was a WWII veteran and served with the Lenoir City Police Department for three months. He was survived by his expectant wife, two daughters, a brother, and a sister. His son was born later and resembles him.

He was buried in Banks cemetery.