U.S. Navy · United States 
Clarence Cox
1981
Clarence Purvis Cox Jr. served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Lieutenant Clarence Cox was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who was wanted for escape and for the murder of a priest. He had encountered the subject near the intersection of N Lauderdale Street and Exchange Avenue and attempted to take him into custody. The suspect was able to gain control of Lieutenant Cox's service weapon and shoot him with it. The man was later arrested in Jackson, Tennessee. He was sentenced to death but later murdered in prison by other death row inmates. Lieutenant Cox was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Memphis Police Department for 22 years.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
Memphis Police Department
Lieutenant
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtms03n7hjta25n1rk1ph
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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