Incident
Sergeant Rick Finley, who was working part-time for the Selmer Police Department, was shot and killed while responding to a suspicious person complaint at the 100 block of New Bethel Road in Selmer at 3:00 p.m.
A subject was attempting to break into a home. When Sergeant Finley arrived at the scene, the subject attacked him, shooting Sergeant Finley multiple times. The suspect was shot and killed by another responding officer.
He was transported to the nearest hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Sergeant Finley was a United States Army National Guard veteran. He had served part-time with the Selmer Police Department while also serving with the McNairy County Sheriff's Office, where he worked for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-209243A3- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Finley gave the McNairy County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Selmer community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Rick Finley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant Rick Finley 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 McNairy County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 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. Rick Finley's cause is highlighted.
How Rick Finley Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rick Finley is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rick Finley was killed by not available.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from McNairy County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.




