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Incident
Police Officer Barton Coker was shot and killed after he and his partner stopped a 21-year-old man and his 18-year-old girlfriend as they exited a lumber yard on McGee Street shortly after midnight. When the officers approached, the man drew a handgun and opened fire, killing Officer Coker. Both subjects were apprehended. The man was sentenced to death his sentence was later commuted to 99 years. He was released in December 1950 after Governor Gordon Browning reduced his sentence to 12 years. His girlfriend was sentenced to 21 years but was released after serving only a few months.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Coker served with the Maryville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Maryville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Coker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Maryville Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Barton is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Barton is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Barton is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Barton was 66. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Barton was 66. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Barton was 66. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Maryville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Maryville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Barton among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Maryville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
