Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Fred Guffey was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for possessing illegal whiskey at the intersection of Edison Street Alcoa Highway. A scuffle ensued between Patrolman Guffey and the man during which the man was able to gain control of the officer's weapon. The man fired two shots, one of which struck and killed Patrolman Guffey. The subject fled the scene and was apprehended the next day after an extensive manhunt. The 28-year-old ex-convict, who had served a sentence for murder, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison on December 6th, 1952. Patrolman Guffey was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army. He had served with the Alcoa Police Department for 11 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-052C404C- 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 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.
Patrolman Guffey served with the Alcoa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Alcoa community, and 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
Fred Guffey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Fred Guffey 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 Alcoa Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred Guffey's cause is highlighted.
How Fred Guffey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Guffey is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred Guffey was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alcoa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
