Officer Edward L. Tarkington
Metro Nashville Police Department
Tennessee
End of Watch: Sunday, December 17, 1978

Biographical Info
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, December 17, 1978
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to one year

Officer Tarkington was shot and killed after responding to the report of a residential burglary. While talking to the victim the man's neighbor confronted the officer and began arguing with him. The neighbor had been arrested by Officer Tarkington twice before for operating illegal gambling games. The suspect produced a .45 caliber handgun and exchanged shots with Officer Tarkington, striking him in the neck. The suspect was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire. The suspect was never convicted of Officer Tarkington's murder but did receive a one year federal sentence for being a felon carrying a weapon.

Officer Tarkington had been an officer with the agency for one year.