David Davenport

DAVID E. DAVENPORT, age 76 of Dandridge, TN passed away suddenly Friday morning March 22, 2024. He was born September 1, 1947, in Knoxville, TN the son of the late Harry Davenport and Eleanor “Ellie” Frye. He was raised in Knoxville where he was a graduate of Young High School, class of 1964. Following his graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force serving four years during the Vietnam Conflict. After proudly serving his country he began his life-long career in law enforcement by joining the Tennessee Highway Patrol as a State Trooper for seven years. This led to his renowned appointment as a special investigator with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation serving under District Attorney Al Schmutzer and his agent partner and friend, Bob Denny for 29 years who combined to have the most murders on death row than any other duo in the state and he was recognized as the 1997 special agent of the year.  After retirement from the TBI he was proud to serve three terms as the Sheriff of Jefferson County where he was instrumental and a moving force in the construction of the current Justice Center for Jefferson Co. He closed his career and passion for law enforcement by overseeing the Cold Case Division of the Knox Co. Sheriff’s Department after 8 years of service. After his retirement he continued to stay connected to law enforcement by assisting in television documentaries on cases he had been involved in including the Zoo Man, serial killer Samuel Little and the Kodak bank robbery and homicides and countless others. He never lost his zest for finding perpetrators of victims for their families. He was a member of the Dandridge Lions Club, New Market Masonic Lodge, and the Kerbela Shriners. David, or “Port” to many of us, was an avid book reader, enjoyed good Motown music and attending musical performances and shows put on at the Tennessee Theatre and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Danny Davenport, and his son, Adam Davenport and is survived by his son Aaron (Jennifer) Davenport; daughter, Cale Messamore and special companion, JoAnn Porterfield Garner and his fur baby, Bandit; grandchildren, Destiny Elliott, Tristan Davenport, Kaylynne Davenport, Devin Davenport, Timber Seals, Dakota Seals, Evie Messamore and Jeb Messamore, 3 great grandchildren and 1 due in April.   Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 7:00pm at Farrar Funeral Home Jefferson City Chapel with Rev. Denny Ford officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00pm prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial gifts be made to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5021, Hagerstown, Md 21741-5021 or www.jdrf.org. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, JEFFERSON CITY, TN, 411 W. Broadway Blvd. 865-475-3892