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Jailer Dispatcher

James Alton Uselton

Whitwell Police Department — Whitwell, TN

Felonious

End of Watch September 11, 1974

Age 64

The Vigil Panel 114 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Jailer Uselton was shot and killed by a man who was angry that he could not get his friend out of jail. The man had come to the jail earlier in the night and began to argue with Jailer Uselton when he was informed the man would not be released. The suspect returned a few hours later, knocked on the door, and then shot Jailer Uselton through the door as he approached. The 61-year-old suspect was apprehended. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On August 6, 1984, he was released because he had cancer and needed constant care.

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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Jailer Dispatcher Uselton served with the Whitwell Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Whitwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Dispatcher Uselton.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Whitwell Police Department

Location Whitwell, TN

Platform Identity wpd.marion.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 11, 1974

Age 64

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Released in 1984

Jailer Dispatcher James Alton Uselton 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%.

Whitwell Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

TN — Statewide

498

of 769 officers

64.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Alton Uselton's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James Alton Uselton Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Released in 1984

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Alton Uselton is highlighted in Sep.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Alton Uselton was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518