Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman True was shot and killed shortly before midnight when he and his partner encountered two suspicious men leaving a park at 2nd Avenue and Peabody Street. When the officers instructed the men to halt one of the men opened fire, striking Patrolman True in the chest. His partner was able to return fire and wounded the suspect's accomplice. Patrolman True was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 0105 hours in the morning. Both suspects were apprehended a week later in Columbia. A few weeks later the shooter hanged himself from a pipe in his jail cell with his shoe laces. His accomplice was convicted of murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison.
Survivors
Patrolman True had been with the agency for one month and was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A74B11B2- 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 True served with the Nashville City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman True.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John True 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 Nashville City Police Department, 16 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John True's cause is highlighted.
How John True Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed Suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John True is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John True was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Nashville City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
