Incident
Officer Wilcox was shot and killed while on foot patrol in a city park around 9:30 p.m. Other officers began searching for him after locating an unsecured portion of the park that should have been secured by Officer Wilcox. His body was found in a bathroom with a wound inflicted with his own weapon. A suspect was later charged with the murder after being taken into custody on an unrelated charge. The suspect was found mentally incompetent to stand trial. Officer Wilcox had been with the agency for 32 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Park Police Officer Wilcox gave the Chattanooga Police Department 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Wilcox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chattanooga Police Department has lost 27 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry 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 1979, 1 officer at Chattanooga Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 2.
In 1979, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 69. Of the 17 killed feloniously at Chattanooga Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 41; the middle age was 35. Harry had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Harry was 69. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Harry had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Harry was 69. 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. Harry had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 69. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 5.3% of these deaths at Chattanooga Police Department; June holds the most, 15.8%. Thursdays: 5.3%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70.4% of all 27 deaths at Chattanooga Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 15.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.4% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Chattanooga Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
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Jonathan Merriman May 14, 1870
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James B. Wiggins Apr 28, 1879
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David C. Musgrove Dec 19, 1890
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Hugh Clark May
Sep 15, 1906
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Thomas Obadiah Musgrove Oct 31, 1906
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Clarence Livingston
Sep 1, 1912
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Carl Whitely Oct 10, 1918
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Paul Brown Oct 12, 1918
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James W. Duggan Jun 22, 1921
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James H. Cornett
Nov 4, 1931
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Jesse G. Shirley
Nov 8, 1931
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Walter J. Mashburn Jul 16, 1932
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Clyde J. Shipley
Dec 26, 1939
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Arlie E. Carr
Oct 27, 1942
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Ulysses Jackson
Sep 27, 1952
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Harry Thomas Shipley
Oct 4, 1953
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Morris Bertram Glenn
Apr 7, 1971
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Clarence E. Hamler
Aug 14, 1977
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Nelson I. Hess, V
Jun 12, 1978
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David L. Friederichsen
Jun 18, 1978
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Harry Wilcox Jan 18, 1979
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Richard Cartell Alexander
Oct 5, 2000
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Julie Rochelle Jacks
May 6, 2002
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James Timothy Chapin
Apr 2, 2011
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Nicholas Scott Galinger
Feb 24, 2019
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Joseph Brian Montijo
Nov 1, 2019
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James Michael Russ
Dec 2, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
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