Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Sunday, December 17, 1978
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 2 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 17, 1978
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to one year
Officer Edward Tarkington was shot and killed after responding to the report of a residential burglary at 12th Avenue North and Jo Johnston Avenue.
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 served with the Metro Nashville Police Department for over one year. He was survived by his wife, mother, and brother, who later became an officer with the same agency.