Cold Case: Who wanted to kill Johnny Pool?

His name was Johnny Pool.  Worked as a mechanic on big rigs, 18-wheelers.  In late October of 1988, Pool drove to a back road in the county to meet someone who would turn out to be his killer.   The motive at the time was unknown.  Investigators still aren't certain but, now they suspect love and jealousy may have played a factor.

To get to the part of the Hatchie River where this happened you have to take dirt roads.  Hunters frequent it to shoot ducks.  On the night of October 26, 1988 someone came to shoot, not fowl, but to kill 23-year old Johnny Pool.

Johnny's mom, Grace Pool says, "they shot him then burned him up and I don't know why anyone would have done such a thing?"

To destroy evidence as investigators found pool's body inside his burning truck.  He had been shot once in the back with a bullet from a hunter's rifle.  "There wasn't a lot at the crime scene somebody was smart, your it.  Someone was shot, someone was burned," said Deputy Chief Donna Turner, Tipton County Sheriff's Department.  "I think it was very calculating, I think that location was very calculating."

The newspaper articles about the crime have faded but not the curiosity of investigators.  They constantly gather new information.  Not enough to identify a suspect just yet but it could change if witnesses provide answers.  Turner says, ""what he was doing at the time, who he was running around with, if there was any illegal activity going on around him and also whether or not there was a love triangle that could have been going on.  What we want is for those blanks to be filled in."

One issue hurting detectives is the perception of the sheriff's office in the late 80's.  The sheriff at the time was sent to jail for illegal selling guns.  The deputy who testified against him, charged and found guilty of second degree of another deputy.  "It was a different time in Covington and Tipton County in 1988.   So people would make a threat and carry it out," say Deputy Turner.

"They left little Johnny without a daddy, us without a son, my girls without a brother," said Pool's mom. 

Investigators believe that fear still hinders their case, denies them that one interview to corroborate an existing theory or point the finger at suspect who might be within arm's reach.  Deputy Turner says, "this case will be solved by a caller that calls in and sees this on TV and says I am going to do the right thing." 

The last time we told you about this cold case Detectives got calls and tips that shed new light on a motive and a possible suspect.  There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.  Call 901-475-3301 if you have any information.  An officer is ready to take your call.