Roll of Honor
Felix G. Presson
Incident
Railroad Detective Felix Presson was found mortally wounded in the railway yards at Memphis, Tennessee. He had been shot four times and died before he could make a statement. A suspect was arrested in New York City in July 1941 after shooting at another detective. The man confessed to the murder of Officer Presson while confined to Sing Sing prison, New York, for the attempted murder of the detective. Even though he confessed and gave details about the murder that only he would know, Tennessee prison officials said he was in the Tennessee Penitentiary at the time of the murder. Law enforcement officials accused them of making a horrible mistake, but they stuck with their story and the suspect remained in Sing Sing. Detective Presson had served with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department for 18 months and had previously served with the Carroll County Sheriff's Officer for 13-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, parents, and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-EB831407- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Railroad Detective Presson gave the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Presson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Felix G. Presson 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%.
At Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Felix G. Presson's cause is highlighted.
How Felix G. Presson Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Felix G. Presson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Felix G. Presson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
