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Incident
Officer Ryan and Patrolman W. I. Wright were killed when their patrol car drove off of a bridge and fell 30-feet to the ground. Patrolman Wright died on the scene and Officer Ryan succumbed to his injuries the following day. Officer Ryan had been with the agency for seven years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Officer Ryan gave the Nashville City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Ryan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nashville City Police Department has lost 22 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1914, 3 officers at Nashville City Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1914, 4 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1914, 34 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1914, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 28. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Nashville City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34.3 and 57; the middle age was 46. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
John was 28. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 28. 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. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 50% of these deaths at Nashville City Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 16.7%.
March holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 11.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 27.3% of all 22 deaths at Nashville City Police Department, the 2nd 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Nashville City Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Robert T. Frazier Apr 30, 1875
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John M. Arnold Feb 12, 1885
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Daniel Summitt Apr 30, 1899
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Benjamin F. Dowell
Dec 7, 1903
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W. I. Wright
Mar 4, 1914
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John Ryan
Mar 5, 1914
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Andrew Harrison Roberts, Sr. Jul 15, 1914
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Lem G. Thompson
Dec 12, 1915
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John Milliron
Jul 12, 1916
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John Friel
Sep 24, 1918
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James H. Johnson
Jul 21, 1921
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John True
Aug 4, 1924
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Archie B. Wood
Nov 12, 1924
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Chas H. Fudge
Nov 26, 1925
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Michael J. Mulvihill
May 9, 1931
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George W. Redmond
Sep 25, 1933
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Charles B. Sanders
Mar 17, 1934
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Paul W. Cavender
May 7, 1935
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Albert Alex Foster
Mar 20, 1936
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William Ray Holbrook
Apr 15, 1939
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Charles Dow Mundy
Jun 25, 1942
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Robert Burns Sandefur
Jul 3, 1943
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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