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Incident
Deputy Clarence Turner was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest an escaped convict. He came upon the suspect who was riding a horse. When he told the suspect he was under arrest, he got off the horse and opened fire with a shotgun loaded with buckshot. Deputy Turner was hit with four pellets, in the leg, groin, stomach, and shoulder. As the suspect turned and ran Deputy Turner showed remarkable courage. He managed to stand up and opened fire with two pistols, hitting the suspect three times in the back.
The 34-year-old convict was arrested after a long stay in the hospital and charged with murder. He had escaped, a year earlier, from the state penitentiary in Nashville where he was serving a 10 year term for a rape conviction in 1921. He was convicted of second degree murder and returned to Nashville to serve an additional 20 years. In 1916 he shot and killed an 18-year-old boy in Rhea County and served part of a 10 year sentence. Having suffered from tuberculosis for several months, he was released from prison in August of 1932. He died on the way back home on August 25.
Deputy Turner was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Deputy Turner was survived by his wife and eight children.
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 Turner served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Crossville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Turner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cumberland County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Clarence is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence 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 1928, 6 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clarence was 52. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Clarence was 52. 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.
Clarence was 52. 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 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 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
Cumberland County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.