The Honorable John W. Carney Jr., retired District Attorney General for the 19th Judicial District and former Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville.
A native of New Providence, Carney was born on October 4, 1950, to the late John W. Carney, Sr., and Della Johnson Carney. He was a 1968 graduate of Clarksville High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree at Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Nashville School of Law.
Carney began his career as a Criminal Investigator with the (TBI), the state’s leading criminal investigative agency, where he held every major management and leadership position within the Bureau, including Special Agent in Charge, Deputy Director, and, ultimately, Director of the TBI. He was assigned secret service details protecting former President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush and led major drug trafficking investigations at the state and federal level. He developed the TBI’s current motto: “Guilt shall not escape nor innocence suffer,” assisted with the design of the TBI seal, and co-led efforts to rename the TBI Headquarters after the late and Former TBI Director, Arzo Carson. He also played a key role in state and national history: securing the governor’s office during former Gov. Ray Blanton’s pardons scandal.
Carney was appointed, elected, and served as District Attorney General for the 19th Judicial District for Montgomery and Robertson Counties, beginning in 1993 and ending retirement in 2021 with more than 48 years of law enforcement and prosecutorial experience. During his time as DA, Carney oversaw the successful prosecution of some of the District’s most challenging violent criminal cases — the notorious 1994 slaying at the Clarksville Taco Bell and the 1997 Baskin-Robbins slaying. He led the 19th Judicial District Drug Task Force, served on the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference board, and served on the state’s Child Protective Investigative and Child Fatality Review teams and Nashville’s Domestic Violence Death Review Team. Carney was instrumental in founding both the Montgomery County and Robertson County Child Advocacy Centers. During 2004-2005, he was the chairman and co-author of the Tennessee Sex Offender Registration, Verification and Tracking Act of 2004 and 2005.
Carney received an award from the Tennessee District Attorneys Conference for his work on educational videos for Tennessee’s Teen Pregnancy Awareness Campaign, “What’s the Rush,” and contributed to the development of “Deceptive Danger,” in conjunction with the District Attorneys Conference, former Governor Bill Haslam’s office, and the Tennessee general assembly.
In coordination with the DA’s conference, General Carney received honors from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Nashville (EMMY), for the “Meth is Death” campaign and video regarding the dangers of methamphetamine. In 2013, Carney was also one of the first DA’s to utilize a Facility Dog for Victims of Crime assisting victims and witnesses during stressful stages of legal proceedings, such as child forensic interviews and trials. Orson IV, who is now retired, worked with the Child Advocacy Centers of Montgomery and Robertson counties and in partnership with the Courthouse Dog’s Foundation and the Canine Companions for Independence.
During his time as DA, both Montgomery and Robertson County established an “On Wings of Love” program to remember homicide victims during the Christmas season, and he led the establishment of Montgomery County’s Children’s Memorial Garden dedicated to child homicide victims.
Sports were a big part of John’s life, and he was a three-sport athlete through high school (football, basketball, and baseball), receiving most valuable player awards in all three sports and several All-Midstate and All-State honors. He was invited to try out for Major League Baseball as a catcher but accepted a four-year football scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where he served as defensive captain during his 1971 senior season.
John was known for his deep Christian faith and his service to others. He was a Deacon at First Baptist Church, where he and his late wife, Emily, also taught Sunday School for several years. He is a former chair with Habitat for Humanity, a former advisor to APSU’s Criminal Justice program, a 1993 graduate of Leadership Clarksville, a former president of the CHS Football Booster Club, a founder and member of the CHS Football Alumni Club, and a volunteer football coach for Clarksville Middle School football programs.
Upon retirement, John religiously followed CHS and Vanderbilt athletics watching games in person when he could or online. He also visited Israel with First Baptist Church, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, December 21, at 2:00 PM, at First Baptist Church, Clarksville, with Dr. Ronny Raines and Dr. Roger Freeman officiating. Graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery will follow the Celebration of Life. Visitation will be Saturday, December 21, from 10:00 AM until the hour of service, at the church.
John, Jr. is survived by his daughter, Julia Elizabeth Carney (Arlington, VA); son, John Wesley Carney, III (Sarah; Clarksville); sister, Carol Carney Clay; sister-in-law, Margaret Nelle Utley (Greg; Clarksville); and brother-in-law, William “Bill” C. Martin (Nashville) as well as many friends and loved ones.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Shepherd, Taylor Stokes, John Drake, all football players from Clarksville High School, and his Vanderbilt University 1969-1972 football teammates.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 435 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; Montgomery County Child Advocacy, 1030 Cumberland Heights Road, Clarksville, TN 37040; or The Clarksville Football Alumni Club, 1430 Madison Street, Suite A, Clarksville, TN 37040.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home.