Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Fenton succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained one week earlier when he attempted to remove three intoxicated men who were causing a disturbance from a saloon on Main Street near Overton Avenue.
Patrolman Fenton asked all three men to leave, and they complied. While outside the saloon one of the suspects attacked Patrolman Fenton, knocking him to the ground. The suspect then drew a pistol and fired, missing Patrolman Fenton, but striking a young boy standing nearby, killing him. Patrolman Fenton returned fire striking the suspect in the arm, but the suspect was able to fire again, striking Patrolman Fenton in the chest.
Patrolman Fenton was taken to his home where he died six days later from his wound.
The killer was executed on August 20, 1869.
Patrolman Fenton asked all three men to leave, and they complied. While outside the saloon one of the suspects attacked Patrolman Fenton, knocking him to the ground. The suspect then drew a pistol and fired, missing Patrolman Fenton, but striking a young boy standing nearby, killing him. Patrolman Fenton returned fire striking the suspect in the arm, but the suspect was able to fire again, striking Patrolman Fenton in the chest.
Thank you for your service to this community. May you rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten!
Lauren W. Wife of a DeSoto County Officer June 8th, 2010
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
159 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Fenton served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John M. Fenton 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 M. Fenton's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Fenton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Fenton is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Fenton was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
