Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Richard Carrington was shot and killed in an ambush by a man he had previously arrested. In retaliation, the man had taken a woman hostage at her home at 454 Franklin Street in Lexington and told her he planned on murdering the chief. He ordered her to call Chief Carrington and instruct him to come to her home. As the chief was en route to the house, he called a local judge who had dealt with the suspect before and asked him to call the man. The judge began negotiating with the man and asked him to surrender his gun to Chief Carrington. After about an hour, the man agreed to exchange the hostage for an unarmed Chief Carrington. To prove he was unarmed, the chief removed his shirt, walked to the front door, and turned all the way around with his arms raised. As he completed his turn and faced the man, the suspect shot him in the chest, killing him. The suspect was shot and wounded by return gunfire from other officers on the scene and taken into custody. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was eventually paroled. Chief Carrington had served with the Lexington Police Department for only 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-4905382E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Carrington gave the Lexington Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Carrington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Richard Carrington is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lexington Police Department, 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. Richard Carrington's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Carrington Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Carrington is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Carrington was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lexington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
