Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rueben Fox was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a U.S. Army deserter at the home of the man's mother in Bryceville.
The subject had been handcuffed but requested to get a change of clothes. As Deputy Fox escorted the man into the home the man's mother interfered with the arrest. During the ensuing struggle the man was able to gain control of Deputy Fox's service revolver and shot him in the back several times before fleeing.
The man was arrested by the LaFollette police chief several hours later. He was charged with murder and being AWOL. The man's mother and grandmother were charged as accessories.
Five weeks later the 18-year-old suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two to 10 years.
Deputy Fox was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Fox was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A2513AA2- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Fox served with the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Fox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Rueben Fox 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 Anderson County Sheriff's Department, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rueben Fox's cause is highlighted.
How Rueben Fox Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rueben Fox is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rueben Fox was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Anderson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
