Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Willis Bridges was shot and killed when he and his partner attempted to arrest a drunken suspect at the intersection of 3rd Street and Beale Street. As Patrolman Bridges approached the man to search him, the subject drew a pistol from under his coat and fired one shot, striking him. Patrolman Bridges' partner returned fire, fatally striking the suspect six times. Patrolman Bridges was taken to Methodist Hospital where he died. Patrolman Bridges served with the Memphis Police Department for 20 years.
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BO-US-TN-68581C9F- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Bridges gave the Memphis Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bridges.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Willis Riley Bridges 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 Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willis Riley Bridges's cause is highlighted.
How Willis Riley Bridges Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willis Riley Bridges is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willis Riley Bridges was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
