James Ronnie Woodard, Sr.

Metro Nashville Police Department — Nashville, TN

Felonious

End of Watch October 9, 1991

Age 46

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

The Vigil Panel 137 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 19

Incident

Lieutenant James Woodard was shot and killed in the early morning hours after stopping a car he suspected had been stolen. The suspect pulled the vehicle into a bank parking lot at 747 Fessiers Lane and opened fire as Lieutenant Woodard approached the car. Lieutenant Woodard was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the buttocks. A passerby noticed Lieutenant Woodard lying next to his patrol car and used the cruiser's radio to call for help. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries approximately 30 minutes later. The suspect was arrested approximately two hours after the incident. The 28-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2026. Lieutenant Woodard had served with the Metro Nashville Police Department for eighteen years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, three daughters, three sons, parents, two brothers, two sisters, and four grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TN-9C5DEB0C
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.
Lieutenant Woodard gave the Metro Nashville Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Woodard.

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

Agency

Department Metro Nashville Police Department

Location Nashville, TN

Platform Identity mnpd.davidson.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 9, 1991

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Lieutenant James Ronnie Woodard, 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 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.

Metro Nashville Police Department

of 20 officers

60% Felonious

TN — Statewide

498

of 769 officers

64.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious