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Incident
Deputy McCullough was shot and killed by a prisoner on a chain gang during an escape attempt. The prisoner had been sentenced to 30 days for stealing corn. The chain gang was passing the suspect's home when the suspect asked to be allowed to go inside and change. The request was granted and the suspect went into the home but emerged with a gun and opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy McCullough. The 18-year-old suspect who fled the scene was apprehended on May 26, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah by FBI agents. On June 17, 1939, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. On February 2, 1940, he escaped from the Coffee County Jail after he clubbed the Sheriff with a steel bar he pried off his cell door using metal slats from his cot. Two days earlier he was returned to the jail from the state prison, and there to remain pending the outcome of his appeal. He was captured several days later. The Tennessee Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal because of the escape. On June 10, 1949, Governor Gordon Browning commuted his sentence to 20 years.
Survivors
Deputy McCullough was survived by his wife and twelve children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff McCullough served with the Coffee County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Manchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McCullough.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ben is the only officer of Coffee County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Ben is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Ben is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ben is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 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
Ben was 45. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Ben was 45. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Ben was 45. Of the 15,854 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%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Coffee County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 11% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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