Incident
Detective Lem Thompson was stabbed by a suspect he had just arrested for disorderly conduct around 10:00 p.m. Detective Thompson and his partner were working in plainclothes when they arrested two men who were drunk and causing a disturbance. They were walking them to a phone to call for a paddy wagon when Detective Thompson's prisoner produced a knife and stabbed him several times in the alley between 12th and 11th Avenues on Pearl Street. His partner shot and killed the suspect. Detective Tompson was transferred to the city hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Detective Thompson had served with the Nashville City Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Detective Thompson gave the Nashville City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nashville City Police Department has lost 22 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Lem is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Lem is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lem 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 1915, 1 officer at Nashville City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1915, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lem was 39. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Nashville City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 55; the middle age was 50. Lem had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Lem was 39. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Lem had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Lem was 39. 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. Lem had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lem was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lem had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths at Nashville City Police Department; July holds the most, 18.8%. Sundays: 12.5%.
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 22 deaths at Nashville City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.8% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Nashville City Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Lem among them.
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Robert T. Frazier Apr 30, 1875
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John M. Arnold Feb 12, 1885
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Daniel Summitt Apr 30, 1899
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Benjamin F. Dowell
Dec 7, 1903
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W. I. Wright
Mar 4, 1914
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John Ryan
Mar 5, 1914
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Andrew Harrison Roberts, Sr. Jul 15, 1914
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Lem G. Thompson
Dec 12, 1915
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John Milliron
Jul 12, 1916
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John Friel
Sep 24, 1918
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James H. Johnson
Jul 21, 1921
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John True
Aug 4, 1924
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Archie B. Wood
Nov 12, 1924
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Chas H. Fudge
Nov 26, 1925
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Michael J. Mulvihill
May 9, 1931
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George W. Redmond
Sep 25, 1933
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Charles B. Sanders
Mar 17, 1934
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Paul W. Cavender
May 7, 1935
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Albert Alex Foster
Mar 20, 1936
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William Ray Holbrook
Apr 15, 1939
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Charles Dow Mundy
Jun 25, 1942
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Robert Burns Sandefur
Jul 3, 1943
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
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