Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Dave Yates was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunfire. He stopped two men he saw to ask them about the shots. One of the men, who was drunk along with the other, produced a gun and shot Marshal Yates. The gunman and his companion were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. The Tennessee Supreme Court ordered a new trial for his companion. He was convicted of accessory after the fact to murder and sentenced to 20 years. In 1925 the supreme court again ordered a new trial with the recommendation that the case be dismissed if the only evidence was that which was used in the second trial. At the same time Governor Austin Peay commuted the gunman's sentence to life.
Survivors
Marshal Yates was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-23D641C6- 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.
City Marshal Yates served with the Union City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Union City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Yates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Dave Yates 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 Union City Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Dave Yates's cause is highlighted.
How Dave Yates Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentence commuted to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dave Yates is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dave Yates was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Union City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
