Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas McDermott and Deputy Sheriff Houston Mitchell were shot and killed while attempting to stop illegal gambling in Shelby County and Memphis.
They were raiding a club at 42 DeSoto Avenue when both deputies were shot and killed.
More than 40 suspects were arrested during the raid. Five were charged with murder. Only one was tried for murder and he was acquitted.
Deputy McDermott had served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for six weeks.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-99A2C17E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. 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 McDermott served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McDermott.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas J. McDermott 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 Shelby County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. McDermott's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. McDermott Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. McDermott is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Shelby County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
