Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Clarence Turner was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest an escaped convict. He came upon the suspect who was riding a horse. When he told the suspect he was under arrest, he got off the horse and opened fire with a shotgun loaded with buckshot. Deputy Turner was hit with four pellets, in the leg, groin, stomach, and shoulder. As the suspect turned and ran Deputy Turner showed remarkable courage. He managed to stand up and opened fire with two pistols, hitting the suspect three times in the back.
The 34-year-old convict was arrested after a long stay in the hospital and charged with murder. He had escaped, a year earlier, from the state penitentiary in Nashville where he was serving a 10 year term for a rape conviction in 1921. He was convicted of second degree murder and returned to Nashville to serve an additional 20 years. In 1916 he shot and killed an 18-year-old boy in Rhea County and served part of a 10 year sentence. Having suffered from tuberculosis for several months, he was released from prison in August of 1932. He died on the way back home on August 25.
Deputy Turner was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Deputy Turner was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-EDE106B0- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Turner served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Crossville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Turner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Clarence Turner 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 Cumberland County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clarence Turner's cause is highlighted.
How Clarence Turner Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clarence Turner is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clarence Turner was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
