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Incident
Policeman Gurley was shot and killed on election day by a candidate who had just lost his bid for the office of sheriff. Policeman Gurley and the police chief followed the candidate, his brother, and another man to their car and demanded the candidate give them a pistol he had. When he refused to give them his pistol a gunfight resulted ending with the death of Policeman Gurley and the chief seriously wounded. The three fled the scene but were arrested after being wounded during a massive manhunt. The candidate and his brother were adjudged insane and committed at a insane asylum for the criminally insane in Nashville. The candidate was determined sane in 1973, convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was given credit for the time he served in the asylum and was paroled on August 1, 1973. His brother served a few years in the asylum. The other suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Gurley served with the Lexington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Gurley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lexington Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Arthur is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Arthur 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 1954, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur was 50. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Arthur was 50. 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.
Arthur was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Fridays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Lexington Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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
Lexington Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lexington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
