Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Andrew Wortham and Deputy Sheriff C.P. McDonald were shot and killed while investigating reports of a group of people shooting at cars along the Dixie Highway.
When they arrived at the scene they found the group along the river. As they approached the group one of the men told them not to come any closer. Ignoring the order, the officers continued to approach the group and were fired upon. Deputy McDonald and Marshal Wortham were both struck and instantly killed.
Several citizens took the group into custody after threatening to throw large rocks at them.
Two men and two women were charged with murder in connection with the shooting. The two men were convicted of first-degree murder. One was sentenced to life and the other to 21 years in prison.
Deputy Wortham was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Wortham was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-11ACDB46- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Wortham served with the Jellico Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jellico community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Wortham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Andrew J. Wortham is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jellico Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Andrew J. Wortham's cause is highlighted.
How Andrew J. Wortham Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Andrew J. Wortham is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Andrew J. Wortham was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Jellico Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
