Incident
Patrolman Friel was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a report of a prowler. The officers spotted the man in the dead-end of West Broadway. As they approached the suspect the man opened fire and Patrolman Friel was struck twice. He succumbed to his wounds early the next day. The suspect escaped the scene and was never apprehended.
Survivors
Patrolman Friel had been with the agency for 23 years and was survived by his wife and seven children.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Friel gave the Nashville City Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Friel.
— 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.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1918, 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 1918, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 63. 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. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 63. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 63. 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. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12.5% of these deaths at Nashville City Police Department; July holds the most, 18.8%. Tuesdays: 6.3%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 22 deaths at Nashville City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Nashville City Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, John 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
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