Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Arnold was shot and mortally wounded while attempting to arrest a well-known desperado and ex-con. He developed blood poisoning and died five weeks later. The suspect was charged with murder and released after posting bond. Seven months later during his trial he shot and killed a witness who was going to testify against him. He went into hiding and was shot and killed a year later by a man in Hickman County.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-F3E0F3D0- 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
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Arnold served with the Nashville City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John M. Arnold 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 Nashville City Police Department, 16 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Arnold's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Arnold Compares
Offender Outcome
Later shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Arnold is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Arnold was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Nashville City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
