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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Anderson was severely beaten after arresting a suspect on a charge of disturbing public worship at the Sweeton Hill Methodist Church on May 17, 1953 Deputy Anderson, with another deputy, attended the church service upon request of church leaders who complained that services had been disturbed on several previous occasions. During the service, the suspect started talking audibly to companions while the minister was delivering his sermon. Deputy Anderson placed him under arrest and removed him from the church. It was outside the church that the fight occurred. Deputy Anderson died six days following the altercation while at Edminster’s Clinic at Cumberland Heights. The suspect was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to the minimum term of not less than two nor more than three years of incarceration.
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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 Anderson served with the Grundy County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Altamont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Anderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grundy County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 4 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 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 1 officer in TN was killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
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 100% of all 4 deaths at Grundy County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Grundy County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Grundy County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
