Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff O. Leonard Nance was shot and killed at a home in Montlake while attempting to locate a suspect involved in a recent burglary.
The suspect's mother learned that the boy was hiding at the home of a friend and notified Deputy Nance. The home was owned by a man who held a grudge against Deputy Nance. When Deputy Nance arrived at the home the man shot him with a shotgun without provocation. Despite the wound, Deputy Nance returned fire but did not strike the subject.
The man was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Supreme Court reversed the conviction and he was not retried.
Deputy Nance had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for four years and had previously served as the marshal of Rockwall.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B62F8247- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Oscar. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Nance gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Nance.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Leonard Nance 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 97,756 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 Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, 12 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oscar Leonard Nance's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar Leonard Nance Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar Leonard Nance is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar Leonard Nance was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
