Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ken Wright was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest. Deputy Wright was backing up a Cleveland, Tennessee, police officer who was attempting to arrest a suspect on Broomfield Road. The suspect pulled a gun and started shooting. Deputy Wright was able to push the Cleveland police officer out of the line of fire but was shot and killed. On March 21, 1972, the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 15 years. In 1975 his sentence was commuted to just 10 years and he was released a few months later. In 2004 was arrested on federal narcotics and firearms charges. He was convicted of those charges and returned to prison. Deputy Wright was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-4EE772A0- 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 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.
Deputy Sheriff Wright served with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland 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
Ken Wright, Sr. served in the Other before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Ken Wright, Sr. 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 Bradley County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ken Wright, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Ken Wright, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ken Wright, Sr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ken Wright, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Bradley County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
