Governor Haslam's office has increased the reward for information in the killing of a man who witnessed a crime at a Rutherford County boat ramp to $50,000.
It was a sunny October afternoon, Gregg Hawkins took his daughter to Percy Priest Lake for a day of fishing.
He was walking up the boat ramp to his truck when officers said he stumbled upon a car burglary in progress. Hawkins was shot and killed on the spot.
"That was his day off work, that was his truck, that was his life. He would've given you anything," Hawkin's wife, Janet said.
More than four months later Janet made a public plea for help. "We need your help," she said.
Leads in the investigation have turned into dead ends. Officials hoped increasing the reward to $50,000 will encourage someone to come forward with useful information.
"There's someone out there that knows what happened," Detective Kyle Norrod said.
Saturday would've been Hawkin's 54 birthday. "Instead of celebrating we'll be going to the cemetery and that's not an easy thing to think about," said Janet.
To those responsible for her husband's death Janet has this message, " I want you to know that I've got everyone that I know praying for you."
If you have information that can help call the Rutherford County Crimestoppers line at 615-893-7867 or you can call Det. Norrod at 615-904-3043.
