Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Turner and Deputy Constable Marvin Durham were shot and killed while attempting to transport an inmate from the Durhamville town jail to the county jail.
The inmate had been arrested earlier in the day for refusing to comply with a county health ordinance to be vaccinated. The city judge ordered the inmate to pay a fine. When he refused to pay, the judge ordered that he be moved to the Lauderdale County Jail in Ripley, Tennessee.
Constable Turner deputized Marvin Durham to assist him with moving the prisoner. As they were about one mile away from Durhamville two brothers of the inmate ambushed the constables and shot both of them. Their bodies were found lying in the street by Constable Turner's wife. The inmate was also shot and later lynched by an angry mob, along with another one of his brothers.
Both suspects fled the scene.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-39F79E96- Stewardship
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- 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.
Constable Turner served with the Lauderdale County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ripley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Turner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable W. D. Turner 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 Lauderdale County Constable'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. W. D. Turner's cause is highlighted.
How W. D. Turner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. D. Turner is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. D. Turner was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lauderdale County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
