Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marsal Sylvester Dew was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had shot another citizen the previous night.
The suspect had previously threatened Marshal Dew and other law enforcement officers to never come to his house to arrest him. When Marshal Dew arrived at the home to serve the warrant the man opened fire, killing him. The subject then called the county sheriff and surrendered. On April 26, 1914, a murder charge against him was dismissed when his trial ended with a hung jury.
Marshal Dew was survived by his wife, several children, mother, and several siblings.
Survivors
Marshal Dew was survived by his wife, several children, mother, and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-EDF59ACC- Stewardship
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Dew served with the Henning Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Henning community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Dew.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Sylvester V. Dew 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sylvester V. Dew's cause is highlighted.
How Sylvester V. Dew Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sylvester V. Dew is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sylvester V. Dew was killed by gun; unknown type.