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Incident
Chief Deputy Sheriff Calvin Lee and Deputy John Wright, of the Dyer County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call about 1.5 miles west of Elkridge. Deputy Wright was the first deputy on the scene and was ambushed as he and a companion approached the house. The suspect had been hiding in the back seat of his car and opened fire on Deputy Wright, killing him and mortally wounding his companion. The man then shot and killed Chief Deputy Lee when he arrived on the scene. The 35-year-old suspect was never charged with the deputies' murders but was convicted of Deputy Wright's companion's murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. In 1960 Governor Buford Ellington commuted his sentence to life, making him eligible for parole. He was paroled in 1963 and died in 1974.
Survivors
Chief Deputy Sheriff Lee was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Lee served with the Obion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Union City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Lee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Obion County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1942, 10 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 45. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
John was 45. 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.
John was 45. 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%. Sundays: 15.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Obion County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 11% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Obion County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Obion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
