Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Samuel Childress was shot and killed by a police officer from Bristol, Virginia, who was angry that Patrolman Childress would not be his partner that evening in the border town. The dispute stemmed from a previous night when the suspect officer refused to patrol with Patrolman Childress.
The officer who shot Patrolman Childress fled the scene. He remained at large for seven years before being arrested in Couer d'Alene, Idaho, in May 1910. He was extradited to Tennessee where he was subsequently sentenced to 20 years.
Patrolman Childress was survived by his wife and child.
Survivors
Patrolman Childress was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-4A8AA43E- 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.
Patrolman Childress served with the Bristol Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bristol community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Childress.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Samuel Houston Childress 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 Bristol Police Department, 3 of 4 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. Samuel Houston Childress's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Houston Childress Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Houston Childress is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Houston Childress was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Bristol Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
