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Incident
Police Officer Alan Ragsdale was shot and killed while responding to a silent burglary alarm at a local motorcycle dealership.
Officer Ragsdale had parked his cruiser at the rear of the building and walked around the entire building to verify all of the doors were secured. As he walked past the storefront, he spotted the suspect, who immediately fired three shots, striking Officer Ragsdale once. The round struck him in the armpit area, where his vest did not offer protection. Officer Ragsdale was flown to Vanderbilt University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The 18-year-old suspect fled the scene when other officers arrived, but was captured later in the day and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and burglary. On August 23, 2002, the suspect pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Officer Ragsdale had been an officer with the 12-officer Hohenwald Police Department for 18 months.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife, son, and two stepchildren.
In Our Keeping
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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
You barely got started.
Police Officer Ragsdale gave the Hohenwald Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Hohenwald community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ragsdale.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alan is the only officer of Hohenwald Police Department remembered here.
Alan is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Alan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alan 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 2000, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 2000, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2000, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alan was 32. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Alan had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Alan was 32. 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. Alan had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alan was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alan had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hohenwald Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Hohenwald Police Department are honored on badge.nw.