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Incident
Deputy John Martin was shot and killed as he and two other deputies searched a school for trespassers on Christmas Day.
A maintenance employee at the school did not recognize the deputies and mistook them for intruders. The man opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Martin, who died from the wounds two days later.
The maintenance employee was arrested and charged with murder.
Deputy Martin had served with the Davidson County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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 Martin gave the Davidson County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Davidson County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 5 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer at Davidson County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 50. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Davidson County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 38; the middle age was 33. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
John was 50. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John 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. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 20% of these deaths at Davidson County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 40%.
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Davidson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Davidson County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Davidson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
