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Incident
Constable Abner Dement succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on August 20th, 1878, while attempting to arrest a man wanted for stealing a horse.
He had accompanied the victim of the larceny to the suspect's home. Constable Dement advised the man he was under arrest and attempted to take him by the arm. The man pulled away and then shot Constable Dement in the abdomen.
The citizen who was with Constable Dement returned fire and wounded the subject. Constable Dement was taken to his home where his condition continued to deteriorate until he passed away on September 7th, 1878. The man who shot him was removed from the county jail in Murfreesboro and lynched by an angry mob after Constable Dement's death.
Constable Dement had served as the elected constable for Rutherford County's 22nd District for approximately eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Dement gave the Rutherford County Constable's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Murfreesboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rutherford County Constable's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Abner is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Abner is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Abner 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 1878, 1 officer in TN was killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1878, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1878, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Abner was 30. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Abner was 30. 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. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Abner was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Rutherford County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Rutherford County Constable's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Abner among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rutherford County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
