Thomas Preston Caldwell
Agency patch
Sheriff

Thomas Preston Caldwell

Felonious
End of Watch June 17, 1927
Age 44
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 53 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sheriff Thomas Caldwell was shot and killed when he responded to a residence to investigate reports that a man was threatening his family, and acting in an unstable manner.

The suspect shot Sheriff Caldwell as the sheriff knocked on the door.

The suspect barricaded himself in the home but was eventually shot and killed by a posse who surrounded the house.

Sheriff Caldwell had served with the Henry County Sheriff's Department for 5 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-CE985F3F
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 Thomas. 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.
Sheriff Caldwell gave the Henry County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Paris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Caldwell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Paris, TN
Platform Identity hcso.henry.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 17, 1927
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 44
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Shot and killed

Sheriff Thomas Preston Caldwell 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 Henry County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.

Henry County Sheriff's Office
5
of 6 officers
83.3% Felonious
TN — Statewide
498
of 769 officers
64.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Preston Caldwell's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Thomas Preston Caldwell Compares

Age at End of Watch
44
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Preston Caldwell is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Preston Caldwell was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518