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Incident
Deputy Taylor was shot and killed while delivering a death notice to a home on Ballplay Road. The occupant of the home was mentally disturbed and believed that the deputy was there to take him to the hospital. The suspect opened fire on Deputy Taylor, killing him. The 27-year-old suspect was sent to Central Mental Hospital in Nashville. On February 22, 1967, he and two other mental patients escaped, stole a car in the hospital parking lot, and fled. He was captured in Tellico Plains a month later.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Taylor served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Madisonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Monroe County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl 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 1966, 1 officer at Monroe County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1966, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 41. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Monroe County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 46.3; the middle age was 42.5.
Earl was 41. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Earl was 41. 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.
Earl was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 16.7% of these deaths at Monroe County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 16.7%. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Monroe County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
