Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Larry Childress was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the 5600 block of Shady Grove Road. The two suspects had impersonated police officers to gain access to the house and when inside tied up the occupants. One of the hostages was able to break free and call police. When Patrolman Childress and his partner arrived Patrolman Childress went to the side of the house while his partner knocked on the front door. While on the side of the house Patrolman Childress encountered the two suspects and was shot and killed. Both suspects were apprehended, along with a third man that was driving a getaway car. All three, ages 46, 36, and 32, were convicted to robbery and murder and sentenced to life in prison. One of the suspects was denied parole on August 12, 2003, but was eventually paroled. The oldest had a updated mugshot made in 2003 and later died in prison. The third suspect was paroled in 2019. Patrolman Childress was a United States Air Force Veteran and had served with the Memphis Police Department for 14 years.
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BO-US-TN-AF1CC4D2- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Childress gave the Memphis Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Larry Paul Childress served in the Air Force (1962â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Larry Paul Childress 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 Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Larry Paul Childress's cause is highlighted.
How Larry Paul Childress Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Larry Paul Childress is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Larry Paul Childress was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
