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Chief of Police Robert E. Nolen | Lebanon Police Department, Tennessee
Lebanon Police Department, Tennessee

Chief of Police

Robert E. Nolen

Lebanon Police Department, Tennessee

End of Watch: Monday, March 6, 1916

Biographical Info

Age: 52
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 5, 1916
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Lynched

Chief Robert Nolen succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he and an officer attempted to arrest man wanted for bootlegging.

The officers located the man at his home and informed him he was under arrest. The man was granted permission to get his hat before being taken from the home. When the man failed to return to the door, the officers entered and were confronted by the man with a gun. The suspect immediately opened fire, striking Chief Nolen in the arm and abdomen. The other officer returned fire and wounded the suspect. Chief Nolen was immediately taken to a doctor's office where he underwent surgery before succumbing to his wounds.

A few hours later an angry mob seized the supect from the jail and hanged him.

Chief Nolen was survived by his wife.