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Incident
Deputy Oakley succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained four days earlier when he was shot in the abdomen. Deputy Oakley and the city marshal had gone to a home in Watertown to arrest a man on a state warrant. While inside the man's son shot Deputy Oakley, causing the fatal wound. The 22-year-old suspect was arrested. That night a local restaurant, known to be a hangout for troublemakers and criminals, was blown up and destroyed with dynamite.
On January 9, 1924, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Deputy Oakley was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Oakley was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Oakley served with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lebanon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Oakley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilson County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1923, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 69. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
John was 69. 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.
John was 69. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Wilson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Wilson County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Wilson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
