Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Clarence Spence was shot and killed while searching for a still with several Hickman County deputy sheriffs.
The group had stopped at a home for a drink of water, which was given to them by the homeowner's wife. As they left the woman fired a gun three times as a signal to the homeowner. As the officers attempted to cross a field they were confronted by the homeowner who asked if they had a warrant. Marshal Spence answered they were only crossing the field, at which point the man opened fire with a shotgun, killing him.
The man later committed suicide.
Marshal Spence was also commissioned as a deputy marshal with the United States Marshals Service and had previously served with the Hickman County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-F7E3247A- 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.
City Marshal Spence served with the Centerville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Centerville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Spence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Clarence D. Spence 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. Clarence D. Spence's cause is highlighted.
How Clarence D. Spence Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clarence D. Spence is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clarence D. Spence was killed by shotgun.