Roll of Honor
Incident
Unknown to the deputies, the man had a revolver hidden in his jacket. As they entered the city limits of Ripley the man shot both deputies in the back of the head. Their patrol car crossed the median, climbed up an embankment, and crashed into a field. A policeman found both deputies sitting upright with their seat belts on. Both were dead. The suspect was in the back seat, unconscious from the impact.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-6007E52D- 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Nolen gave the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Ripley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Nolen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bobby Joe Nolen 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 Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 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. Bobby Joe Nolen's cause is highlighted.
How Bobby Joe Nolen Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bobby Joe Nolen is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bobby Joe Nolen was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
