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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Franklin Bunton was shot and killed while struggling with a drunk suspect who was brandishing a weapon on Main Street in Butler, Tennessee.
He was eating in a restaurant with two other deputies and a town policeman when they heard shouting outside. When they went outside to investigate they encountered a drunk man who yelled at them not to come closer and displayed a handgun.
Deputy Bunton turned to step back onto the sidewalk but the man approached him from behind. When Deputy Bunton turned to disarm a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Deputy Bunton was shot in the abdomen.
The subject who shot him was sentenced to six years but had the sentence set aside because he was suffering from terminal cancer.
The original town of Butler was moved to its current location in 1948 when the Tennessee Valley Authority built the Watauga Dam and flooded the area. The original town and location of the incident, now called "Old Butler," is submerged in approximately 100' of water.
Deputy Bunton had served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office for six years and had previously served as an elected county constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bunton gave the Johnson County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mountain City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bunton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Franklin is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Franklin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Franklin 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 1936, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Franklin was 31. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Franklin had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Franklin was 31. 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. Franklin had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Franklin was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Franklin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
