Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Boyett was shot and killed by the brother of a suspect he had arrested earlier in the night.
Deputy Boyett had obtained information concerning the location of an escaped fugitive from the Trimble, Tennessee jail. The suspect was located and arrested. Charges were filed against the suspect for the assault of a Dyer County woman and for escaping from jail.
The suspect’s brother, learning of the part that Deputy Boyett had played in the arrest of his brother, went to Deputy Boyett’s residence in Mason Hall. Deputy Boyett stepped outside his home and got into an argument with the suspect’s brother. As the argument continued, the suspect’s brother pulled a pistol and shot Deputy Boyett in the head, killing him. The shooting incident was witnessed by Deputy Boyett’s 14 year old son.
The suspect was arrested and convicted of murder. He served time in prison, but was later pardoned by the Governor.
Deputy Boyett was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Deputy Boyett was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-35592B1A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Boyett served with the Obion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Union City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Boyett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Boyett 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 97,772 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 Obion County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Samuel Boyett's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Boyett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Boyett is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Boyett was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Obion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
