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Incident
Deputy Boyett was shot and killed by the brother of a suspect he had arrested earlier in the night.
Deputy Boyett had obtained information concerning the location of an escaped fugitive from the Trimble, Tennessee jail. The suspect was located and arrested. Charges were filed against the suspect for the assault of a Dyer County woman and for escaping from jail.
The suspect’s brother, learning of the part that Deputy Boyett had played in the arrest of his brother, went to Deputy Boyett’s residence in Mason Hall. Deputy Boyett stepped outside his home and got into an argument with the suspect’s brother. As the argument continued, the suspect’s brother pulled a pistol and shot Deputy Boyett in the head, killing him. The shooting incident was witnessed by Deputy Boyett’s 14 year old son.
The suspect was arrested and convicted of murder. He served time in prison, but was later pardoned by the Governor.
Deputy Boyett was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Deputy Boyett was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Boyett served with the Obion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Union City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Boyett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Obion County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1930, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 55. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Samuel was 55. 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.
Samuel was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Obion County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 2.6% 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 handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Obion County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Obion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
