Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Claridge succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while responding to a large disturbance at a saloon near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Main Street.
He and his partner heard a disturbance from inside a saloon that was well-known to officers for having trouble while walking their beat. Patrolman Claridge and his partner found a large number of intoxicated men fighting inside when they arrived. Several of the men attacked Patrolman Claridge and his partner, beating them severely. One of the men fired a shot, striking Patrolman Claridge in the head. All the men fled the scene after the shot was fired. Patrolman Claridge was brought to a doctor but died several hours later.
Patrolman Claridge was a Confederate Army veteran of the Civil War and had served with the Memphis Police Department for just 10 months. He was survived by his mother and two brothers. He was interred at the Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-F3885AF1- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Claridge served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John M. Claridge served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John M. Claridge 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. John M. Claridge's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Claridge Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Claridge is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Claridge 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.
