Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable J. Scott Shelton succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on October 17th, 1936, while attempting to serve warrants on two brothers. The brothers were wanted on capiases as part of ongoing wheat thefts involving their whole family.
Constable Shelton, along with three county sheriff's deputies, had gone to the family's home along Louisville and Nashville Turnpike (modern-day U.S. Highway 31W) in Robertson County's First Civil District. The officers attempted to force entry into the home after initially being denied entry by the mother. As they came into the home the woman opened fire with a shotgun loaded with a tractor bearing. The shot struck Constable Shelton in the hip, causing a serious injury.
He was transported to a local hospital where he died on October 23rd, 1936, after an infection set in.
The woman who shot him was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Constable Shelton had served as the elected constable of the First Civil District for two years and had previously served with the Robertson County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, four sisters, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-0596D45E- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Shelton gave the Robertson County Constable's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Shelton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John Scott Shelton 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 97,756 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Scott Shelton's cause is highlighted.
How John Scott Shelton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Scott Shelton is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Scott Shelton was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Robertson County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.