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Incident
Sergeant Jesse Buttram was struck and killed by a vehicle while completing a traffic stop on East Broadway Street. The driver of the car he had pulled over was a doctor and gave aid to Sergeant Buttram at the scene. Sergeant Buttram succumbed to his severe head injuries a short time later. Sergeant Buttram was a United States World War II veteran and had served with the Lenoir City Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. One record, 2 gates. Jesse 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.
Sergeant Buttram gave the Lenoir City Police Department 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir City 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
Jesse J. Buttram served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lenoir City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Jesse is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 4 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1972, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1972, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Jesse was 57. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Jesse had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jesse was 57. 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. Jesse had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jesse was 57. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Jesse had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 7.3% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 11.5%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Lenoir City Police Department, the 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 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Lenoir City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jesse among them.
Where
Military Service
Jesse J. Buttram served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jesse J. Buttram’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 64-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lenoir City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
