Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Nelson Singleton was shot and killed in Providence by another sheriff's deputy whom he had just arrested.
The other deputy had been involved in a fight earlier in the day and stabbed another man. The deputy fled after murdering Deputy Singleton.
The suspect was apprehended almost two months later and was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to ten to twenty years in prison.
Deputy Singleton was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Deputy Singleton was my grandfather. He was survived by my grandmother, my mother and my aunt. He did not have a son. My mother, Hester Singleton Norton, was two years old at the time of his death.
Survivors
Deputy Singleton was survived by his wife and two daughters. He was survived by my grandmother, my mother and my aunt.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-C250C013- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Singleton served with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sneedville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Singleton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Nelson Singleton 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 Hancock County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Nelson Singleton's cause is highlighted.
How James Nelson Singleton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10-20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Nelson Singleton is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Nelson Singleton was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hancock County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
