Julius Lewallen

Julius Lewallen (1936-1998) was a Scott County lawman who served as sheriff in the 1970s.

See Also: Sheriffs of Scott County
Preceded By: Jack Laxton • Succeeded By: Marion Carson

Early Life

Born Jan. 21, 1936, Lewallen was the son of Edward Lewallen (1898-1955) and Fannie Ellis (1898-1975). He grew up in the Robbins community. He was one of 13 children. Among those was brother Eddie Lewallen Jr. (1931-2007). Eddie Lewallen’s son, Randy Lewallen (1958-2023) served as a long-time deputy and detective at the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

Lewallen married Betty Jones (1941-2014). They had three children: sons Joseph and Terry, and daughter Linda.

Family Tragedy

On June 7, 1976, Lewallen’s 19-year-old son, Joseph, died in a North Carolina fire.

Joseph Lewallen worked for Canteen Corp. of Atlanta. He was working in the kitchen of a railroad trailer car that erupted in flames, a flash fire believed to have been caused by a back draft from a propane water heater in the kitchen. Lewallen died of smoke inhalation. He was buried at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery, where his parents would later be buried as well.

Sheriff of Scott County

Lewallen was elected Scott County Sheriff in 1972 and served until 1976, when he was replaced by Marion Carson.

Death

Lewallen died on April 24, 1998 in Knoxville, Tenn. He was 62. He was buried at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery in Robbins.