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Incident
Sheriff Horace Taylor and Deputy Sheriff Ed Slavey were shot and killed as they attempted to arrest a drunk miner for making a disturbance in Zenith, Tennessee. Deputy Slavey was the mine foreman and had requested Sheriff Taylor come to the mine to help arrest the man. After shooting Sheriff Taylor the man hid behind several coal cars on a railroad siding. Deputy Slavey was shot as he attempted to subdue him by the coal cars. A posse shot and killed the man after a short standoff. Sheriff Taylor died the following day. Sheriff Taylor had served as sheriff for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, sister, and four brothers.
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.
Sheriff Taylor gave the Fentress County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jamestown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fentress County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Horace is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Horace is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Horace 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 1940, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Horace was 64. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Horace had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Horace was 64. 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. Horace had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Horace was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Horace had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Fentress County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% 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
Fentress County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Horace among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fentress County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
