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Incident
Sheriff Thomas Caldwell was shot and killed when he responded to a residence to investigate reports that a man was threatening his family, and acting in an unstable manner.
The suspect shot Sheriff Caldwell as the sheriff knocked on the door.
The suspect barricaded himself in the home but was eventually shot and killed by a posse who surrounded the house.
Sheriff Caldwell had served with the Henry County Sheriff's Department for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five 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.
Sheriff Caldwell gave the Henry County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Paris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Caldwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henry County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
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 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1927, 1 officer at Henry County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 44. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Henry County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 47.3; the middle age was 39.5. Thomas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Thomas was 44. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Thomas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 44. 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. Thomas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Henry County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 20%.
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Fridays: 14.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Henry County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Henry County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Henry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
