Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Lee Sanders was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man creating a disturbance at Gus Place, which was located at present-day 455 Bethel Purdy Road in Bethel Springs.
At 5:45 p.m., when Constable Sanders walked out of the tavern with the subject, the man pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest. Constable Sanders returned fire, killing the subject, before he fell mortally wounded.
Constable Sanders had served as a constable with the McNairy County Constable's Office for five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and five daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-FBF36464- 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.
Constable Sanders served with the McNairy County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Selmer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Sanders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Lee Sanders 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 McNairy County Constable's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lee Sanders's cause is highlighted.
How Lee Sanders Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lee Sanders is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lee Sanders was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from McNairy County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
