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Incident
Chief of Police Richard Carrington was shot and killed in an ambush by a man he had previously arrested. In retaliation, the man had taken a woman hostage at her home at 454 Franklin Street in Lexington and told her he planned on murdering the chief. He ordered her to call Chief Carrington and instruct him to come to her home. As the chief was en route to the house, he called a local judge who had dealt with the suspect before and asked him to call the man. The judge began negotiating with the man and asked him to surrender his gun to Chief Carrington. After about an hour, the man agreed to exchange the hostage for an unarmed Chief Carrington. To prove he was unarmed, the chief removed his shirt, walked to the front door, and turned all the way around with his arms raised. As he completed his turn and faced the man, the suspect shot him in the chest, killing him. The suspect was shot and wounded by return gunfire from other officers on the scene and taken into custody. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was eventually paroled. Chief Carrington had served with the Lexington Police Department for only 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Carrington gave the Lexington Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Carrington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lexington Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Richard had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Fridays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Lexington Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lexington Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lexington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
