Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Christy Dedman was struck and killed by the driver of a tractor-trailer while assisting a motorist on the side of Interstate 40 near Stewarts Ferry Pike.
Officer Dedman was aiding a motorist on I-40 near the Stewarts Ferry Pike ramp. Officer Dedman and the motorist were standing in front of the driver's side of the police car when it was struck from behind by the tractor-trailer, operated at speeds over 80 miles per hour and recklessly.
The cruiser was pushed into Officer Dedman and the motorist as they stood by a concrete retaining wall on the side of the highway. Officer Dedman's patrol car had its emergency lights on at the time.
Officer Dedman died at the scene. The motorist that was struck was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated assault. Records showed that he had been arrested numerous times for reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving with a suspended license. The suspect was released after only nine months, including time already served. As part of his release, he was barred from driving for three years. Within two weeks of his released, he was arrested in Kentucky for reckless driving.
Officer Dedman had served with the Metro Nashville Police Department for less than one year. She graduated from the academy in August 2003 and was assigned to the Hermitage Precinct.
A portion of Highway 100 was dedicated to the memory of Officer Dedman in August 2005.
A portion of Highway 100 was dedicated to the memory of Officer Dedman in August 2005.
Survivors
Officer Dedman is survived by her parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A9A8AF35- 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.
Police Officer Dedman served with the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Dedman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Christy Jo Dedman 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 Metro Nashville Police Department, 12 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christy Jo Dedman's cause is highlighted.
How Christy Jo Dedman Compares
Offender Outcome
Released after 9 months
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christy Jo Dedman is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christy Jo Dedman was killed by automobile; commercial.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Metro Nashville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
