Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Vincent Tatum was abducted, beaten, and shot four times in the head after finishing his shift at the Southern Desert Correctional Center. His body was found in the desert near Las Vegas a month later.
He was conducting an internal investigation involving contraband being smuggled into the prison by prison employees. It is believed that he was murdered to hamper the investigation.
No arrests were ever made and his murder remains unsolved.
Sergeant Tatum had served with the Nevada Department of Corrections for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-6B34B2BF- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Vincent. 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.
Sergeant Tatum gave the Nevada Department of Corrections 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Nevada. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Tatum.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Vincent Tyrone Tatum 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nevada Department of Corrections, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Vincent Tyrone Tatum's cause is highlighted.
How Vincent Tyrone Tatum Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Vincent Tyrone Tatum is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Vincent Tyrone Tatum was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nevada Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
