Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Polk Caraway was shot and killed by four suspects who attempted to rob the payroll car from the Ford Motor Company. Lieutenant Vincent Lucarini was shot and killed a short time later while pursuing the suspects into Collierville. At approximately 9:45 am four men attempted to rob the payroll car of the Ford Motor Company at 495 Union Street. The suspect opened fire as the payroll was being brought into a building. Patrolman Caraway was instantly killed and his partner was wounded. A Ford Motor Company guard was also killed. Lieutenant Lucarini was at Police Headquarters when the alarm was sounded. He flagged down a car driven by a civilian and, along with two other officers, pursued the suspects along Poplar Avenue. As the car entered the town of Collierville, they were met with a hail of gunfire by a posse who thought they were the suspects. Lieutenant Lucarini was struck and killed by one shot. Later that night three suspects were arrested. Three days later the fourth suspect was arrested. All four suspects were convicted of murder and attempted robbery. They were subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Caraway served with the Memphis Police Department for a year and a half.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-D8FC5161- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Caraway gave the Memphis Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Caraway.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Polk Alonzo Caraway 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. Polk Alonzo Caraway's cause is highlighted.
How Polk Alonzo Caraway Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Polk Alonzo Caraway is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Polk Alonzo Caraway was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
