Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Cannon died of injuries sustained when a prisoner assaulted him 19 months earlier.
On Thanksgiving Day 1937, Patrolman Cannon and his partner were sent to a cafe at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Decatur Street to investigate a disorderly drunk male. When the officer arrived they arrested the man and placed him in the back seat of their patrol car. Patrolman Cannon's partner went back into the bar to call for a patrol wagon to pick up the suspect.
The suspect suddenly started kicking Patrolman Cannon and continued to do so until his partner returned to the car. Patrolman Cannon was rushed to a hospital where it was determined that the blows had ruptured a coronary artery. Patrolman Cannon never recovered and died 19 months later from his injuries.
Patrolman Cannon had served with the Memphis Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B5BD3C6D- 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 Cannon gave the Memphis Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cannon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Cannon 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. John Cannon's cause is highlighted.
How John Cannon Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Cannon is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Cannon was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
