Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael Wright was killed in an automobile accident while pursuing a suspect on Highway 51 at 3:55 am. Patrolman Wright and his partner were traveling northbound on Highway 51 when a struck tractor-truck traveling southbound turned left on Watkins Street in front of their patrol car. The tractor was dislodged during impact, and the patrol car went under the trailer. His partner was admitted to Baptist Hospital with a broken leg. Patrolman Wright was transported to John Gaston Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Patrolman Wright served with the Memphis Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and young daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-506EC8BE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wright served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael D. Wright Jr. is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TN, 191 of 769 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 24.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Memphis Police Department, 25 of 94 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael D. Wright Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Michael D. Wright Jr. Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Michael D. Wright Jr. is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
