Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer II Sean Bolton was shot and killed when he interrupted a drug deal near the intersection of Cottonwood and Perkins Roads at approximately 9:15 pm.
Officer Bolton observed an illegally parked vehicle near the intersection occupied by multiple people. As he approached the vehicle, he was shot several times by one of the occupants, who then fled the scene. A citizen used Officer Bolton's radio to call for assistance after he was shot. Officer Bolton's firearm was still secured in his holster.
He was transported to Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject who murdered him turned himself in on August 3rd, 2015. He was found guilty of first-degree murder on November 4th, 2018, and was sentenced to life without parole. 38 years was added to his sentence for carjacking and gun charges.
Officer Bolton was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served with the Memphis Police Department for over four years.
GOD Bless you and your family !
Ret PO Mortimer Keane NYPD June 26th, 2024
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer II Bolton gave the Memphis Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis 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
Sean Michael Bolton served in the Marine Corps (2007â2008) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer II Sean Michael Bolton 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 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. Sean Michael Bolton's cause is highlighted.
How Sean Michael Bolton Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sean Michael Bolton is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sean Michael Bolton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
