Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Newton Perkins was shot and killed while attempting to question a man and two girls who were acting suspicious. Officer Perkins and another officer were standing in front of the police station on Market Street and observed two men and two girls in a barber shop across the street. Suspecting that the men were soliciting prostitutes, the officers watched the group until they left the barber shop. The officers followed the group to the corner of LaFayette Street and Liberty Street where Officer Perkins stopped the two girls. Officer Perkins observed one of the men standing a short distance away.
Officer Perkins approached the man and began searching him when the man suddenly broke free, pulled out a pistol, and shot him. Officer Perkins was able to walk a half block away before collapsing. The suspect fled but was arrested two miles away. He was convicted of murdering Officer Perkins and sentenced to hang. He was executed on July 13, 1877, exactly one year after the murder.
Officer Perkins was a veteran of the Confederate Army and had served with the Jackson Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-75EB6EF6- 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.
Police Officer Perkins gave the Jackson Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Thank you 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
Newton C. Perkins served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Newton C. Perkins 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 Jackson Police Department, 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. Newton C. Perkins's cause is highlighted.
How Newton C. Perkins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Newton C. Perkins is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Newton C. Perkins was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Jackson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
