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Incident
Constable Cal Cantrell was shot and killed with his own service revolver while arresting a subject for creating a disturbance in the Shepherd Town section of West Athens.
Officers had been called to the area earlier in the night when a drunk subject created a disturbance and cut another man on the chin. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the man. Several hours passed when the man began banging on a door and demanded entry while pretending to be an officer. The occupants gathered their children and left through another door. They went to a neighbor's home and then to the county jail to notify Constable Cantrell.
Constable Cantrell returned to the scene alone, located the man inside of the house, and placed him under arrest. When they got into his car a violent struggle ensued in which the man disarmed Constable Cantrell and shot him five times. The man fled the scene and hid the gun in a restaurant on North White Street. He was arrested later in the morning at his workplace.
The suspect, 45, who claimed self defense, was convicted of Constable Cantrell's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was granted a new trial, convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to 5 years on February 6, 1937.
Constable Cantrell was survived by his wife, three sons, three daughters, sister, and two brothers.
Survivors
Constable Cantrell was survived by his wife, three sons, three daughters, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Cantrell served with the McMinn County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Cantrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Calvin is the only officer of McMinn County Constable's Office remembered here.
Calvin is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Calvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Calvin 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 1935, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Calvin was 44. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Calvin was 44. 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.
Calvin was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Fridays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at McMinn County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.4% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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