Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Ernest Armstrong, Policeman Charles Holt, and Patrolman Lindsey Smith of the Tennessee Highway Patrol were shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute. Policeman Armstrong was the first officer to arrive at the scene and was shot by the drunk suspect. The suspect opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Policeman Armstrong's badge and a second shot striking his spinal cord. Although wounded, he was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the arm. The suspect fled to a nearby church and hid in the crawl space beneath the building. Policeman Holt and Patrolman Smith responded to the church and located the suspect. Policeman Holt and the suspect exchanged shots, and Policeman Holt was fatally wounded. As the suspect came around the corner of the building, he shot Patrolman Smith twice, seriously wounding him. A second highway patrolman returned fire and killed the suspect. Policeman Armstrong and Patrolman Lindsay were transported to Protestant Hospital, where they both succumbed to their wounds several days later. Patrolman Armstrong had served with the Tullahoma Police Department for two years and was also a member of Tullahoma's semi-professional baseball team.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B83BE3F8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Armstrong gave the Tullahoma Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tullahoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Armstrong.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Ernest Carl Armstrong is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Tullahoma Police Department, 3 of 5 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. Ernest Carl Armstrong's cause is highlighted.
How Ernest Carl Armstrong Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest Carl Armstrong is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest Carl Armstrong was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Tullahoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
