In the early hours of New Year's Day in 1908, a tragic event unfolded in Knoxville, Tennessee, that would claim the lives of two dedicated police officers and leave a lasting scar on the community. Patrolman Orlando Lee Jarnigan, a 35-year-old officer with the Knoxville Police Department, was on duty, a role he had diligently served in for three years. He was a family man, with a wife and four children at home, and was known for his commitment to his duty.
Alongside his partner, Patrolman Mike Wrenn, Jarnigan was in the process of apprehending a suspect. As the two officers attempted to take the 23-year-old man into custody, a struggle ensued. In the ensuing chaos, the suspect managed to gain control of a handgun and fired, striking both officers in the head. The wounds were fatal, and both Patrolman Jarnigan and Patrolman Wrenn tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. The profound grief of this event rippled through the Jarnigan family, leading to a second tragedy when Patrolman Jarnigan's 65-year-old father suffered a fatal shock upon learning of his son's death.
The suspect in the shooting was apprehended and ultimately faced justice for his actions. However, he would not serve a full life sentence. On November 8, 1918, nearly eleven years after the murders, the man who had taken the lives of two officers died in prison from influenza. Patrolman Jarnigan was laid to rest in the Blue Gray Cemetery in Knoxville, leaving behind a legacy of service and sacrifice. He is remembered as a devoted husband, father, and officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his community.
