Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Matthew Locke was shot and killed while assisting other officers during a domestic disturbance at a home in the 3000 block of Nance Bend Road in Clifton.
An officer from Clifton Police Department and other deputies contacted the subject who was armed with a gun. As officers were ordering the man to drop the gun as Deputy Locke approached the home. The man suddenly opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Locke.
Deputy Locke was transported to a nearby hospital where he died shortly after arrival.
The subject fled into a nearby wooded area and was arrested a few hours later by members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He was charged with first-degree murder.
Deputy Locke was a Tennessee Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Hardin County Sheriff's Department seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B501B112- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Locke gave the Hardin County Sheriff's Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Thank you 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
Matthew Locke served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Matthew Locke 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Matthew Locke's cause is highlighted.
How Matthew Locke Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with first-degree murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Matthew Locke is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Matthew Locke was killed by gun; unknown type.