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Incident
Patrolman Jesse Shirley was shot and killed by a gun, which had been reported stolen from a local attorney, while answering a disturbance call. His partner was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Patrolman Shirley served in WWI and three years with the Alabama National Guard. Patrolman Shirley had been with the agency for six years. He was survived by his wife, son, mother, two brothers, and six sisters. His brother-in-law, Special Agent Charles Frederick Bryant with the Wabash Railroad Police Department, was killed in the line of duty while attending Patrolman Shirley's funeral.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, mother, two brothers, and six sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnb5rz846c4xe17dk752- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Shirley gave the Chattanooga Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jesse G. Shirley served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chattanooga Police Department has lost 27 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Jesse is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 2 officers at Chattanooga Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 12 officers in TN were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jesse was 39. Of the 17 killed feloniously at Chattanooga Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 41; the middle age was 35. Jesse had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jesse was 39. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Jesse had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jesse was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jesse had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jesse was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jesse had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.5% of these deaths at Chattanooga Police Department; June holds the most, 15.8%. Sundays: 26.3%.
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70.4% of all 27 deaths at Chattanooga Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chattanooga Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Jesse among them.
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Jonathan Merriman May 14, 1870
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James B. Wiggins Apr 28, 1879
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David C. Musgrove Dec 19, 1890
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Hugh Clark May
Sep 15, 1906
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Thomas Obadiah Musgrove Oct 31, 1906
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Clarence Livingston
Sep 1, 1912
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Carl Whitely Oct 10, 1918
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Paul Brown Oct 12, 1918
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James W. Duggan Jun 22, 1921
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James H. Cornett
Nov 4, 1931
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Jesse G. Shirley
Nov 8, 1931
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Walter J. Mashburn Jul 16, 1932
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Clyde J. Shipley
Dec 26, 1939
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Arlie E. Carr
Oct 27, 1942
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Ulysses Jackson
Sep 27, 1952
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Harry Thomas Shipley
Oct 4, 1953
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Morris Bertram Glenn
Apr 7, 1971
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Clarence E. Hamler
Aug 14, 1977
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Nelson I. Hess, V
Jun 12, 1978
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David L. Friederichsen
Jun 18, 1978
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Harry Wilcox Jan 18, 1979
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Richard Cartell Alexander
Oct 5, 2000
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Julie Rochelle Jacks
May 6, 2002
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James Timothy Chapin
Apr 2, 2011
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Nicholas Scott Galinger
Feb 24, 2019
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Joseph Brian Montijo
Nov 1, 2019
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James Michael Russ
Dec 2, 2023
Where
Military Service
Jesse G. Shirley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jesse G. Shirley’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Chattanooga Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
