Oscar T. Roper

Union City Police Department — Union City, TN

Felonious

End of Watch July 16, 1919

Age 41

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman Roper was shot and killed by a man who was seeking revenge for previous encounters with the officer. The man snuck up and shot Patrolman Roper as he patrolled the train depot. The suspect was apprehended, convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 15 years. At a second trial, granted by the Tennessee Supreme Court, he was again convicted of second degree murder but sentenced to 10 years. In 1922 a third trial was granted that resulted in a mistrial. A forth trial was ordered but the outcome is unknown.

Survivors

Patrolman Roper was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TN-855E0E25
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Roper served with the Union City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Union City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roper.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Union City Police Department

Location Union City, TN

Platform Identity upd.obion.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 16, 1919

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Sentenced to 10 years

Patrolman Oscar T. Roper 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 Union City Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Union City Police Department

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

TN — Statewide

498

of 769 officers

64.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious