Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Thomas Neely was stabbed to death while attempting to collect a bond at a store in Middleton.
Marshal Neely walked into C.M. Wilson's store looking for the man who owed a bond payment. Another subject intervened, and an argument ensued. When Marshal Neely attempted to arrest the man, the subject pulled out a knife and stabbed him repeatedly. Marshal Neely drew his gun and shot the subject.
Marshal Neely was transported to the Sasser Hotel, where he died a few minutes later.
The subject was taken to the Bolivar Jail, and the bullet was removed from his neck. He was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years.
Marshal Neely had served as the town marshal with the Middleton Police Department for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-9D800CD1- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Neely served with the Middleton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Middleton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Thomas Park Neely 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Park Neely's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Park Neely Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Park Neely is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Park Neely was killed by edged weapon; knife.