Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman McClanahan was shot and killed by a citizen who had just received a ticket from another officer. The suspect armed himself with a shotgun, entered the police station, to see revenge. Policeman McClanahan attempted to arrest the man and a struggle ensued. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect was able to gain control of Policeman McClanahan's service weapon and then fired several shots with his shotgun. Policeman McClanahan was shot and killed and two other officers and the city's fire chief were wounded. The suspect fled the scene but was chased down by a mob of over 100 citizens. He was taken into custody and turned over to the Rutherford County sheriff. It was discovered that he was a former inmate of an insane asylum and he was wanted for the murder of his wife in Toledo, Ohio. The suspect, 53, was declared insane and committed at Central State Hospital in Nashville where he died on May 21, 1975. Policeman McClanahan was a US Navy veteran of WWII. He had served with the Murfreesboro Police Department for only 3 months but had served with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department prior to enlisting in the Navy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-0710507A- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Policeman McClanahan served with the Murfreesboro Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Murfreesboro community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Herbert McClanahan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman Herbert McClanahan 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 Murfreesboro Police Department, 2 of 6 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. Herbert McClanahan's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert McClanahan Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert McClanahan is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herbert McClanahan was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Murfreesboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
