Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Jim Riddle was killed when he was assaulted and pushed from a moving vehicle while coming to the assistance of a woman.
He was off duty and en route to visit a friend when he heard a woman screaming inside a car in front of a dance hall on Dayton Pike two miles south of Daisy. He jumped from his own vehicle and onto the running board of the other vehicle. He identified himself as an officer but was struck in the face several times with the butt of a revolver as the vehicle accelerated. One of the occupants then pushed Constable Riddle from the vehicle, causing him to fall to the pavement and suffer a skull fracture.
Two men were arrested and charged with his murder but were acquitted.
Constable Riddle was survived by his wife and children. His wife was elected to fill his position and became the first female constable in Hamilton County.
Survivors
Constable Riddle was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-74081F8C- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Riddle served with the Hamilton County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Riddle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable James Oscar Riddle 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 Hamilton County Constable's Office, 3 of 3 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. James Oscar Riddle's cause is highlighted.
How James Oscar Riddle Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Oscar Riddle is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Oscar Riddle was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hamilton County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
