The investigation into the 1989 murder of off-duty Knoxville Police Department Officer Tony Williams is officially closed after a Knox County Grand Jury determined there was probable cause to charge a now-deceased individual with his murder.

Williams, a patrol officer, was shot and killed while riding his motorcycle on Cherry Street near I-40. He was off duty at the time of his murder.

No suspects had been convicted of his murder, the city said, but the recent grand jury finding brings finality and closure to the case.

After remaining dormant for years, Homicide Unit Sgt. Rodney Patton reinvigorated the investigation roughly five years ago, the city said.

He was assisted by Organized Crime Unit Detective Brandon Stryker and retired FBI Special Agent Paul Hughes, who worked collaboratively over the past year-plus to assemble the evidence and prepare for the grand jury presentment. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force also assisted in the investigation.

“I am so proud of Sergeant Patton, Detective Stryker and Special Agent Hughes,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “Their persistence paid off, bringing needed closure to our department and those who loved Tony. Their efforts are admirable and reflect our collective commitment to justice, regardless of how long it takes.”

Grand Jury Finding

Members of the Knoxville Police Department Homicide Unit and Organized Crime Unit presented the case to a grand jury in December.

Following that presentment, the grand jury returned a finding that there was probable cause to believe that Johnny Edgar Warwick committed 1st-degree murder of Tony Williams on July 7, 1989,  the City of Knoxville said in a press release on its website.

Suspected Killer Identified

The finding stated that the grand jury “finds that Johnny Edgar Warwick, on or about the 7th day of July, 1989, did unlawfully, intentionally, deliberately and with premeditation kill Anthony Williams.”

Warwick died sometime around November 1, 2023, effectively closing the investigation due to the death of the offender.

Related: 10 Tips for Successful Cold Case Investigations