Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Deputy James Wright and Deputy Bob Rogers were shot and killed from ambush as they conducted a routine check of the Turtletown Grill on State Highway 68. Two hidden gunmen opened fire on them with shotguns as they stepped out of their patrol car. Chief Deputy Wright and Deputy Rogers were both struck by the shotgun blasts and killed. A third deputy returned fire but did not strike the suspects. The suspects were never identified. Authorities felt the murders were the result of years of feuding between county politicians and there was a question as to whether there were one or two suspects. Exactly one year later the tavern they were checking was bombed. Chief Deputy Wright had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-25EE5AE9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Deputy Wright gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Deputy James Louis Wright 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 97,772 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 Polk County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Louis Wright's cause is highlighted.
How James Louis Wright Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Louis Wright is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Louis Wright was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
