Jailer Dispatcher

James Alton Uselton

Whitwell Police Department — Whitwell, TN
Felonious
End of Watch September 11, 1974
Age 64
Gender Male

Incident

Jailer Uselton was shot and killed by a man who was angry that he could not get his friend out of jail. The man had come to the jail earlier in the night and began to argue with Jailer Uselton when he was informed the man would not be released. The suspect returned a few hours later, knocked on the door, and then shot Jailer Uselton through the door as he approached. The 61-year-old suspect was apprehended. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On August 6, 1984, he was released because he had cancer and needed constant care.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Jailer Dispatcher Uselton served with the Whitwell Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Whitwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Dispatcher Uselton.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Whitwell, Marion County, TN
Platform Identity wpd.marion.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 11, 1974
Age 64
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 64. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded

Jailer Dispatcher James Alton Uselton

Whitwell Police Department · End of Watch September 11, 1974

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W

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