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Incident
Patrolman True was shot and killed shortly before midnight when he and his partner encountered two suspicious men leaving a park at 2nd Avenue and Peabody Street. When the officers instructed the men to halt one of the men opened fire, striking Patrolman True in the chest. His partner was able to return fire and wounded the suspect's accomplice. Patrolman True was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 0105 hours in the morning. Both suspects were apprehended a week later in Columbia. A few weeks later the shooter hanged himself from a pipe in his jail cell with his shoe laces. His accomplice was convicted of murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison.
Survivors
Patrolman True had been with the agency for one month and was survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Patrolman True served with the Nashville City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman True.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nashville City Police Department has lost 22 officers; 16 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 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 2 officers at Nashville City Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 11 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 6.3% of these deaths at Nashville City Police Department; July holds the most, 18.8%. Mondays: 18.8%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 22 deaths at Nashville City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
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 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Nashville City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
