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Felix G. Presson
Incident
Railroad Detective Felix Presson was found mortally wounded in the railway yards at Memphis, Tennessee. He had been shot four times and died before he could make a statement. A suspect was arrested in New York City in July 1941 after shooting at another detective. The man confessed to the murder of Officer Presson while confined to Sing Sing prison, New York, for the attempted murder of the detective. Even though he confessed and gave details about the murder that only he would know, Tennessee prison officials said he was in the Tennessee Penitentiary at the time of the murder. Law enforcement officials accused them of making a horrible mistake, but they stuck with their story and the suspect remained in Sing Sing. Detective Presson had served with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department for 18 months and had previously served with the Carroll County Sheriff's Officer for 13-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, parents, and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Railroad Detective Presson gave the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Presson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Felix is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Felix is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Felix 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 1937, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Felix was 40. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Felix had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Felix was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Felix had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Felix was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Felix had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Felix among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.