Prev
Incident
Constable Jim Riddle was killed when he was assaulted and pushed from a moving vehicle while coming to the assistance of a woman.
He was off duty and en route to visit a friend when he heard a woman screaming inside a car in front of a dance hall on Dayton Pike two miles south of Daisy. He jumped from his own vehicle and onto the running board of the other vehicle. He identified himself as an officer but was struck in the face several times with the butt of a revolver as the vehicle accelerated. One of the occupants then pushed Constable Riddle from the vehicle, causing him to fall to the pavement and suffer a skull fracture.
Two men were arrested and charged with his murder but were acquitted.
Constable Riddle was survived by his wife and children. His wife was elected to fill his position and became the first female constable in Hamilton County.
Survivors
Constable Riddle was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp39s1zx2v69p956dbdb- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Riddle served with the Hamilton County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Riddle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hamilton County Constable's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 45. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
James was 45. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Fridays: 14.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Hamilton County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was blunt object, 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 blunt object, in 0.4% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Constable's Office has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hamilton County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
