Roll of Honor
Don E. Gresham
Incident
Special Agent Don Gresham was shot and killed while conducting a bootlegging investigation in Madison County, four miles east of the Jackson city limits.
He had been interviewing a subject in a tavern on Highway 70 for two hours. During the course of the interview, Agent Gresham's service weapon fell from its holster.
The subject he was speaking to picked up the gun and as he handed it back to Agent Gresham the weapon discharged. The round struck the subject in the wrist. The man yelled out that the agent shot him then pulled out his own gun and shot Agent Gresham three times, mortally wounding him.
The subject was arrested at a local hospital and charged with Agent Gresham's murder. The man was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Agent Gresham was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Alcohol Tax Unit for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-50B492A0- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Don. Claim this record.
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.
Special Agent Gresham gave the Tennessee Department of Finance and Taxation 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville 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
Don E. Gresham served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Agent Don E. Gresham 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Don E. Gresham's cause is highlighted.
How Don E. Gresham Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Don E. Gresham is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Don E. Gresham was killed by handgun.