Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Friel was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a report of a prowler. The officers spotted the man in the dead-end of West Broadway. As they approached the suspect the man opened fire and Patrolman Friel was struck twice. He succumbed to his wounds early the next day. The suspect escaped the scene and was never apprehended.
Survivors
Patrolman Friel had been with the agency for 23 years and was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-812EF280- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Friel gave the Nashville City Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Friel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Friel 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 Nashville City Police Department, 16 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Friel's cause is highlighted.
How John Friel Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Friel is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Friel was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Nashville City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
