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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Clayton was shot and killed as he and two other officers went to a residence in the Chancey Town community to serve a warrant on a soldier for drunkenness.
The soldier, who was home on leave, opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun, killing Deputy Clayton and wounding a second deputy.
The 21-year-old subject was arrested by the county sheriff and pleaded guilty to murdering Deputy Clayton. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
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- August 2, 2026
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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 Clayton gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Clayton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Polk County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1946, 1 officer at Polk County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1958, with 2.
In 1946, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 31. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Polk County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 55; the middle age was 49. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Robert was 31. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 31. 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. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Office; March holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
