Media

Shelby County Deputy Killed in Traffic Crash

Release Date: October 29, 2004

A Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Metro Gang Unit was killed early today as he was on his way to speak to students at Bartlett High School about the dangers of criminal gangs.

“This is a tragic day for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with this deputy’s family and the family of the others who were injured in the crash,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Deputy Timothy (Tim) Dunn, 40, was dead at the scene. The crash happened shortly after 6 o’clock this morning. Investigators say Deputy Dunn was traveling west on Highway 70. As he approached the intersection of Highway 70 at Brunswick Road, his Sheriff’s Office cruiser collided with a pickup trick driven by a 17 year old girl.

Shana Odo, the driver of the pickup, and her sister Grace, 15, are students at Bolton High School. They were on their way to morning classes when the crash happened. Both Shana and Grace were taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in stable condition. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Deputy Dunn had served with the Sheriff’s Office since 1997. He had been with the Metro Gang Unit since January of 2002. Before that, he served in the Patrol and Court Divisions.

He was married and had no children. Funeral arrangements for Deputy Tim Dunn have not yet been finalized.