Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Franklin Bunton was shot and killed while struggling with a drunk suspect who was brandishing a weapon on Main Street in Butler, Tennessee.
He was eating in a restaurant with two other deputies and a town policeman when they heard shouting outside. When they went outside to investigate they encountered a drunk man who yelled at them not to come closer and displayed a handgun.
Deputy Bunton turned to step back onto the sidewalk but the man approached him from behind. When Deputy Bunton turned to disarm a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Deputy Bunton was shot in the abdomen.
The subject who shot him was sentenced to six years but had the sentence set aside because he was suffering from terminal cancer.
The original town of Butler was moved to its current location in 1948 when the Tennessee Valley Authority built the Watauga Dam and flooded the area. The original town and location of the incident, now called "Old Butler," is submerged in approximately 100' of water.
Deputy Bunton had served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office for six years and had previously served as an elected county constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-78964C3A- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bunton gave the Johnson County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mountain City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bunton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Franklin Conrad Bunton 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 Johnson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Franklin Conrad Bunton's cause is highlighted.
How Franklin Conrad Bunton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 6 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Franklin Conrad Bunton is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Franklin Conrad Bunton was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
