Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Milton Stephens was shot and killed by two horse thieves he had arrested and who he was taking to jail. The two had been arrested in Nolensville and were held there until the arrival of Sheriff Stephens. The sheriff and the two youths left Nolensville to return to the jail in Franklin but never arrived. Sheriff Stephens was found on the Wilson Pike the next morning suffering from gunshot wounds. It is believed that the suspects disarmed Sheriff Stephens of his pistol and rifle and shot him. They then stole the weapons and buggy. Both suspects were apprehended five days later. On March 18, 1920, one was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to two to 10 years. The other suspect was acquitted. Sheriff Stephens had been elected to the position the previous year. He was survived by seven children. He was preceded in death by his wife.
Survivors
He was survived by seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-2105855E- 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
You barely got started.
Sheriff Stephens gave the Williamson County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Franklin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Milton Harvie Stephens 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 Williamson County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Milton Harvie Stephens's cause is highlighted.
How Milton Harvie Stephens Compares
Offender Outcome
One acquitted; One sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Milton Harvie Stephens is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Milton Harvie Stephens was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Williamson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
