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Thomas Jefferson York
Incident
Constable Thomas York was shot and killed while investigating an accident on U.S. Highway 127 near Jamestown, Tennessee. A man notified Constable York of the accident while the constable was at home in bed. Constable York met the man and began to drive to the accident scene when some sort of trouble started between the two men. Constable York stopped the car, and both men began to struggle on the side of the road. Constable York shot the suspect three times, but the man was able to gain control of Constable York's service weapon and shot him in the head, killing him. The suspect also succumbed to his wounds at the scene of the shooting. Constable York was a United States Air Force veteran and was the son of U.S. Army Sergeant Alvin C. York, the famous American hero of World War I. He was survived by his wife and four children. He is buried in Wolf River Cemetery, Pall Mall, Fentress County, Tennessee.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Constable York served with the Fentress County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jamestown community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas Jefferson York served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thomas is the only officer of Fentress County Constable's Office remembered here.
Thomas is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1972, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 34. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Thomas was 34. 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.
Thomas was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fentress County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 5.4% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Military Service
Thomas Jefferson York served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Jefferson York’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Fentress County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.