Polk County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
End of Watch Saturday, March 8, 1958
Add to My HeroesJames Louis Wright
Chief Deputy James Wright and Deputy Bob Rogers were shot and killed from ambush as they conducted a routine check of the Turtletown Grill on State Highway 68.
Two hidden gunmen opened fire on them with shotguns as they stepped out of their patrol car. Chief Deputy Wright and Deputy Rogers were both struck by the shotgun blasts and killed. A third deputy returned fire but did not strike the suspects.
The suspects were never identified. Authorities felt the murders were the result of years of feuding between county politicians and there was a question as to whether there were one or two suspects. Exactly one year later the tavern they were checking was bombed.
Chief Deputy Wright had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 49
- Tour 9 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Never identified
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Deputy Sheriff Robert A. Rogers
Polk County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: March 8, 1958
Most Recent Reflection
View all 16 ReflectionsBig daddy I'm so sorry the TBI didn't do their job & find your & Mr. Roger's murderers & changed your bio to say they think it was political. It doesn't matter if it was political or not, you both should have gotten justice no matter what. I didn't get to meet you but I always knew about you, my mother was very proud of her father. Mothers up there with you now, praying you protect her from my father, & I know you will. I love you all & miss you terribly!!
Granddaughter Micheke Ballew Gregory
March 11, 2020
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