Prev
Francis Paul Scurry
Incident
Police Officer Francis Scurry was shot and killed while backing up two detectives who were serving an aggravated assault warrant at an apartment in Madison at approximately 9:30 am. The officers arrived at the apartment, knocked on the door, and received no response. After a maintenance man attempted to kick the door in, one of the suspects came to the door and said he had been sleeping. The suspect was immediately arrested. As the officers began searching the apartment for the second suspect, they noticed that a shelf near the attic crawl space was broken. Officer Scurry and a second officer entered the attic and immediately confronted the suspect, who began shouting that the officers should shoot him and then opened fire on the officers. The second officer was struck in the knee and fell to the ground. Officer Scurry was struck several times but was able to return fire, seriously wounding the suspect. The suspect then exited the attic and continued firing at the other detectives. Responding officers attempted to enter the apartment in order to rescue Officer Scurry but were confronted by the suspect. The suspect was yelling that he wanted to surrender but refused to drop his gun while attempting to reload it. One of the responding officers then fired on the suspect with a shotgun, killing him. Another officer entered the attic and began CPR. While administering CPR, the ceiling collapsed, and the officer fell to the floor below. Officer Scurry was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Officer Scurry was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Metro Nashville Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his daughter, mother, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtngqs6ty576bfn34fb3p- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Francis. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Francis is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Police Officer Scurry gave the Metro Nashville Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville 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
Francis Paul Scurry served in the U.S. Army (1970â1974) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Metro Nashville Police Department has lost 20 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Francis is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Francis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Francis 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 1996, 1 officer at Metro Nashville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 2.
In 1996, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francis was 48. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Metro Nashville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 35.3; the middle age was 28.5. Francis had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Francis was 48. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Francis had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Francis was 48. 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. Francis had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francis was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Francis had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.3% of these deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 8.3%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Fridays: 14.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 20 deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 41.7% 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
Metro Nashville Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Francis among them.
-
Lonnie L. Harper
Aug 10, 1963
-
Charles Reuben Byrd
Sep 26, 1963
-
Carroll Gordon Bargatze
Oct 16, 1965
-
Thomas E. Johnson
Jan 16, 1968
-
Charles W. Thomasson
Mar 17, 1968
-
Robert L. Williams
May 2, 1968
-
Raymond Leroy Wheeler
Nov 6, 1973
-
Curtis Jordan
Jan 13, 1976
-
George Howard Hall
Feb 23, 1976
-
Steven Ross Pinkelton
Jul 26, 1978
-
Edward L. Tarkington
Dec 17, 1978
-
John Wesley Smith, III
May 14, 1980
-
William Lee Bowlin
Aug 4, 1982
-
James Ronnie Woodard, Sr.
Oct 9, 1991
-
Francis Paul Scurry
May 17, 1996
-
Candace Renee Ripp
Dec 8, 2001
-
Christy Jo Dedman
Jul 19, 2004
-
Michael Alexander Petrina
May 10, 2014
-
Eric Wayne Mumaw
Feb 2, 2017
-
John Ralph Anderson, IV
Jul 4, 2019
Where
Military Service
Francis Paul Scurry served in the U.S. Army (1970–1974) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Francis Paul Scurry’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 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Metro Nashville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
