Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Clayton was shot and killed as he and two other officers went to a residence in the Chancey Town community to serve a warrant on a soldier for drunkenness.
The soldier, who was home on leave, opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun, killing Deputy Clayton and wounding a second deputy.
The 21-year-old subject was arrested by the county sheriff and pleaded guilty to murdering Deputy Clayton. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B86EAF71- 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 Clayton gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Clayton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert Frank Clayton 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 Polk County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Frank Clayton's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Frank Clayton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Frank Clayton is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Frank Clayton was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
