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Christopher Byard Cummings
Incident
Chief of Police Christopher Cummings suffered a fatal heart attack after assisting with the dismantling of a beaver dam.
The beaver dam was obstructing roads and causing flooding. Chief Cummings worked with other officers to tear down the structure, which was solid and difficult to tear apart. He stated that he did not feel well and was going back to the station. An hour later, when officers returned to the station, they found Chief Cummings unresponsive. Despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced deceased.
Chief of Police Cummings was a United States Army and Tennessee National Guard Iraq War veteran. He had served with the Samburg Police Department for two years and previously served with the Obion Sheriff's Office for three years and the Union City Police Department for 24 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, mother, father, girlfriend, and stepson.
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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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.
Chief of Police Cummings gave the Samburg Police Department 29 years.
Thank you for your service to the Samburg community. Thank you 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
Christopher Byard Cummings served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Christopher is the only officer of Samburg Police Department remembered here.
Christopher is one of 37 officers lost to cardiac events in TN, 4.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 3 officers in TN were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 4.
In 2023, 10 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2023, 10 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Christopher was 53. Of the 36 lost to cardiac events in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 41.8 and 54.3; the middle age was 49. Christopher had served 29.9 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Christopher was 53. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Christopher had served 29.9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Christopher was 53. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Christopher had served 29.9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 8.1% of these deaths in TN; March holds the most, 13.5%. Sundays: 16.2%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Samburg Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Military Service
Christopher Byard Cummings served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Christopher Byard Cummings’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 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Samburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.