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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Ward was shot and killed after approaching a group of men who were drinking in Palmer, Tennessee.
One of the men suddenly ran but tripped over a wire. When the man stood up he opened fire, killing Deputy Ward. The suspect, 45, was charged with murder and tried twice. Both trials ended with a hung jury.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Ward served with the Grundy County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Altamont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grundy County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Oscar is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oscar 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 1947, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oscar was 50. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Oscar was 50. 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.
Oscar was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Grundy County Sheriff's Department. 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
Grundy County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Oscar among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Grundy County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
