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Incident
Patrolman W. Wright and Officer John Ryan were killed when their patrol car drove off of a bridge near Brentwood and fell 30 feet to the ground. Shortly before 10:00 a.m., the officers were on patrol while Patrolman Wright was also learning how to drive the patrol car. Officer Ryan had exited the vehicle to crank the car after it stopped. Patrolman Wright moved forward and turned right onto the bridge when he threw the clutch and lept forward into the bridge railing. The bridge was temporary without proper railings built while the Lewisville & Nashville & Lewisburg & Northern Railroads expanded the railroad. Patrolman Wright died on the scene, and Officer Ryan succumbed to his injuries the following day. Patrolman Wright had served with the Nashville City Police Department for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Patrolman Wright gave the Nashville City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nashville City Police Department has lost 22 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
W. is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
W. is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
W. is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1914, 3 officers at Nashville City Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1914, 4 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1914, 34 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1914, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
W. was 48. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Nashville City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34.3 and 57; the middle age was 46. W. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
W. was 48. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. W. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
W. was 48. 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. W. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
W. was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. W. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 50% of these deaths at Nashville City Police Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
March holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 27.3% of all 22 deaths at Nashville City Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Nashville City Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, W. 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 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Nashville City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
