Lake City Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch Saturday, October 15, 1960
Add to My HeroesJulius Paul Cruze
Police Chief Paul Cruze was shot and killed after he and another officer stopped a suspected drunk driver on Creek Street.
The subject had previously been arrested for drunk driving by Chief Cruze and was armed with a pistol during that arrest. Following the arrest the man had threatened to get revenge against the chief.
The other officer informed the man that they knew he was armed and told him to surrender his handgun. Instead of doing so, the man produced a handgun and shot Chief Cruze, killing him instantly. The second officer returned fire, wounding the man. The was located approximately one mile away and taken into custody. He was charged with Chief Cruze's murder. He claimed self defense and was acquitted.
Chief Cruze was a WWI veteran and had served with the Lake City Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, three foster sons, two brothers, and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 56
- Tour 10 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Acquitted
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsThe Tennessee Law Enforcement Memorial Wall is being constructed in McNairy County, Tennessee at the Robert K. Lee Justice Center.
The Memorial Wall will be approximately 40 feet long by 4.5 feet tall, constructed of black and gray granite and include every officer that has given the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of the State of Tennessee. (Excerpt from letter from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, Inc., June 2024)
Chief Julius Paul Cruze of the Lake City (now Rocky Top) Police Department will be memorialized on the Wall, along with 741 other Tennessee Law Enforcement Officers that have died in service to their communities. Expected completion date of the nonprofit's project is May 2025.
Chief John Thomas
Rocky Top Police Department
June 23, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024