Veteran prosecutor for Tennessee’s 4th Judicial District will leave office Aug. 31; Gov. Bill Lee will appoint successor to serve Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties.
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE) — After nearly two decades as the chief prosecutor for Tennessee’s 4th Judicial District, District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn announced he will step down from office effective Aug. 31, ending a legal career that has spanned more than three decades in the district.
Dunn informed his staff of his decision Thursday and confirmed the news in a phone interview with Smokies.LIVE.
“I told the staff yesterday,” Dunn said. “But come September 1, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ve worked all my life.”
Dunn was first elected District Attorney General in 2006 and has served the 4th Judicial District for the past 20 years. Tennessee’s 4th Judicial District includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties.
Before becoming the district’s top prosecutor, Dunn served more than 16 years as an assistant district attorney. He was reelected to additional eight-year terms in 2014 and 2022. His current term extends through 2030, leaving approximately four years remaining. Under Tennessee law, Gov. Bill Lee will appoint a successor to complete the remainder of Dunn’s term.
Before entering the legal profession, Dunn served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer in Germany from 1966 to 1968 with the 30th Military Police Battalion. He received an honorable discharge in June 1968 before pursuing a career in law.
During his tenure, Dunn oversaw prosecutions throughout Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties, working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on cases ranging from violent crime to drug trafficking and public corruption.
No reason for Dunn’s retirement was immediately announced, and he said he has not yet decided what comes next after leaving office.
“I told the staff yesterday,” Dunn said. “But come September 1, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ve worked all my life.”
Dunn’s resignation becomes effective Aug. 31. Gov. Bill Lee is expected to appoint a new district attorney to serve the remainder of Dunn’s current term.
One response
On July 9th, in a three-year legal battle to gain access to public records revealing crimes Jimmy Dunn, Ron Newcomb and Brownie Marsh perpetrated on Sevier County citizens for decades, Judge Kelly Thomas questioned Dunn’s sworn statements Dunn gave the court in an affidavit and ordered Dunn to be seated and testify at a future hearing in the case. Dunn announced his sudden retirement less than a day later. What is Dunn afraid of? Did he commit perjury? Why is he hiding public records? Look it up. The case is The Gatlinburg Free Press and Erik Cooper v Jimmy Dunn, Sevier County court, cases numbered 23-CV-563 and 23-CV-415. What is Jimmy afraid of? Coward! Criminal!