Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Edward Tarkington was shot and killed after responding to the report of a residential burglary at 12th Avenue North and Jo Johnston Avenue. While talking to the victim, the man's neighbor confronted the officer and began arguing with him. The neighbor had been arrested by Officer Tarkington twice before for operating illegal gambling games. The suspect produced a .45 caliber handgun and exchanged shots with Officer Tarkington, striking him in the neck. The suspect was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire. The suspect was never convicted of Officer Tarkington's murder but did receive a one-year federal sentence for being a felon carrying a weapon. Officer Tarkington had served with the Metro Nashville Police Department for over one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and brother, who later became an officer with the same agency.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-81CC8442- 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
You barely got started.
Officer Tarkington gave the Metro Nashville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Tarkington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Edward L. Tarkington 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 Metro Nashville Police Department, 12 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward L. Tarkington's cause is highlighted.
How Edward L. Tarkington Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to one year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward L. Tarkington is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward L. Tarkington was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Metro Nashville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
