Prev
Thomas Melvin Ball
Incident
Deputy Melvin Ball was killed when he was struck in the head with a scale weight as he and two other deputies broke up a disturbance involving five juveniles at a general store at 8:00 pm. The other deputies were placing two of the juveniles into a patrol car when another one struck Deputy Ball in the head. Deputy Ball was taken to a local hospital, where he died the following day. All five juveniles were apprehended. Four were released, and the other was jailed for murder. Deputy Ball was a United States Army WWI veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, three brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqwbkfxdpc014h3m7b2j- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Ball served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greeneville 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 Melvin Ball served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greene County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 4 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 27,552 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 1942, 10 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 52. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Thomas was 52. 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 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 8 deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, 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 blunt object, in 0.4% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Greene County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Military Service
Thomas Melvin Ball served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Melvin Ball’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 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Greene County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
