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Incident
Lieutenant James Woodard was shot and killed in the early morning hours after stopping a car he suspected had been stolen. The suspect pulled the vehicle into a bank parking lot at 747 Fessiers Lane and opened fire as Lieutenant Woodard approached the car. Lieutenant Woodard was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the buttocks. A passerby noticed Lieutenant Woodard lying next to his patrol car and used the cruiser's radio to call for help. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries approximately 30 minutes later. The suspect was arrested approximately two hours after the incident. The 28-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2026. Lieutenant Woodard had served with the Metro Nashville Police Department for eighteen years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, three sons, parents, two brothers, two sisters, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Lieutenant Woodard gave the Metro Nashville Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Woodard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Metro Nashville Police Department has lost 20 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1991, 1 officer at Metro Nashville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 2.
In 1991, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 46. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Metro Nashville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 35.3; the middle age was 28.5. James had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
James was 46. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. James had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 46. 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. James had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.3% of these deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
October holds 6.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 20 deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Metro Nashville Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Lonnie L. Harper
Aug 10, 1963
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Charles Reuben Byrd
Sep 26, 1963
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Carroll Gordon Bargatze
Oct 16, 1965
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Thomas E. Johnson
Jan 16, 1968
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Charles W. Thomasson
Mar 17, 1968
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Robert L. Williams
May 2, 1968
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Raymond Leroy Wheeler
Nov 6, 1973
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Curtis Jordan
Jan 13, 1976
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George Howard Hall
Feb 23, 1976
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Steven Ross Pinkelton
Jul 26, 1978
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Edward L. Tarkington
Dec 17, 1978
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John Wesley Smith, III
May 14, 1980
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William Lee Bowlin
Aug 4, 1982
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James Ronnie Woodard, Sr.
Oct 9, 1991
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Francis Paul Scurry
May 17, 1996
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Candace Renee Ripp
Dec 8, 2001
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Christy Jo Dedman
Jul 19, 2004
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Michael Alexander Petrina
May 10, 2014
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Eric Wayne Mumaw
Feb 2, 2017
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John Ralph Anderson, IV
Jul 4, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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