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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rosemary Vela was killed in a single vehicle crash while responding to backup another deputy.
She was traveling on Highway 70 West, near Huntersville, when her patrol car left the roadway during a period of heavy rain. The vehicle struck a tree and then came to rest in a creek.
Deputy Vela had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office for five months and had previously served with the Alamo Police Department and the Crockett County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
She is survived by her 5-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Vela gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denmark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Vela.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Madison County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Rosemary is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Rosemary is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Rosemary is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 3 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 2015, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2015, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Rosemary was 24. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Rosemary had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Rosemary was 24. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Rosemary had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rosemary was 24. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Rosemary had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.5% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.6%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Madison County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Rosemary among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
