Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ed Penney was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in Duncan Town for attempting to burn down his home and barn. When Deputy Penney arrived at the scene, he told the man he was under arrest. The man initially cooperated but suddenly produced a .38 caliber pistol and shot Deputy Penney. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Penney was able to take the suspect into custody with the help of a taxicab driver who had accompanied him. He succumbed to his wound as the taxicab driver drove them towards the county jail. The suspect was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to five years. Deputy Penney also served as the Chief of Police of Decherd and was running for Sheriff of Franklin County Sheriff's Department at the time of his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-D6038258- 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 Penney served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Winchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Penney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Edward Penney 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 Franklin County Sheriff's Dept., 1 of 2 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. John Edward Penney's cause is highlighted.
How John Edward Penney Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to five years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Edward Penney is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Edward Penney was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Franklin County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
