Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Ward was shot and killed after approaching a group of men who were drinking in Palmer, Tennessee.
One of the men suddenly ran but tripped over a wire. When the man stood up he opened fire, killing Deputy Ward. The suspect, 45, was charged with murder and tried twice. Both trials ended with a hung jury.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A3AF152E- 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 Ward served with the Grundy County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Altamont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Ward 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 Grundy County Sheriff's Dept., 4 of 4 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. Oscar Ward's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar Ward Compares
Offender Outcome
Charges dismissed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar Ward is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar Ward was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Grundy County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
