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Incident
Constable Eugene Lynch succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one week earlier when he was ambushed by an escaped prisoner.
Constable Lynch had arrested the man and a female acquaintance the previous day on a warrant charging them with assaulting the man's father. Later in the evening, after the arrest, the male subject was able to escape from Constable Lynch's custody.
The following day Constable Lynch was escorting the female prisoner to the local depot. As they crossed a railroad trestle the male subject opened fire from a hiding spot in some nearby bushes, striking Constable Lynch in the abdomen with a shotgun blast.
Constable Lynch's condition deteriorated until he died days later on March 7, 1895. Both suspects were arrested in Georgia the day after Constable Lynch's death and returned to Hamilton County to face charges. The suspect who shot Constable Lynch was sentenced to death but the sentence was later commuted to life in prison,
Constable Lynch was survived by his wife, five children, parents, brother and other family members.
Survivors
The suspect who shot Constable Lynch was sentenced to death but the sentence was later commuted to life in prison,
Constable Lynch was survived by his wife, five children, parents, brother and other family members.
In Our Keeping
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Lynch gave the Hamilton County Constable's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hamilton County Constable's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Eugene is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eugene 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 1895, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eugene was 36. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Eugene had served 6.4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Eugene was 36. 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. Eugene had served 6.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eugene was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eugene had served 6.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Hamilton County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Constable's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Eugene among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hamilton County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
