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Incident
Deputy Shelton and Constable Beauford Rader were killed when their vehicle was struck by a car that was fleeing Greenville Police Department officers. Deputy Shelton and Constable Rader were performing administrative duties and were not involved in the pursuit when the the suspect vehicle ran a red light and struck their car. The occupants of the suspect vehicle were apprehended at the scene. Deputy Shelton had been with the agency for six years.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Shelton gave the Greene County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greeneville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Shelton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Greene County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Emerson is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Emerson is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Emerson is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 4 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1972, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1972, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Emerson was 51. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Emerson had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Emerson was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Emerson had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Emerson was 51. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Emerson had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.5% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.2%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Greene County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Emerson among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Greene County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
