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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bob Rogers and Chief Deputy James Wright were shot and killed from ambush as they conducted a routine check of the Turtletown Grill on State Highway 68. Two hidden gunmen opened fire on them with shotguns as they stepped out of their patrol car. Chief Deputy Wright and Deputy Rogers were both struck by the shotgun blasts and killed. A third deputy returned fire but did not strike the suspects. The suspects were never identified. Authorities felt the murders were the result of years of feuding between county politicians and there was a question as to whether there were one or two suspects. Exactly one year later the tavern they were checking was bombed. Deputy Rogers also served as the police chief of the Tennessee Copper Plant in Copperhill.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and ten children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Rogers served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rogers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Polk County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1958, 2 officers at Polk County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1958, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 59. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Polk County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 55; the middle age was 49.
Robert was 59. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Robert was 59. 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.
Robert was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 40%.
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 40% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
