Deputy Sheriff Thomas Melvin Ball

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Melvin Ball

Greene County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

End of Watch Sunday, June 28, 1942

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Thomas Melvin Ball

Deputy Melvin Ball was killed when he was struck in the head with a scale weight as he and two other deputies broke up a disturbance involving five juveniles at a general store at 8:00 pm.

The other deputies were placing two of the juveniles into a patrol car when another one struck Deputy Ball in the head. Deputy Ball was taken to a local hospital, where he died the following day.

All five juveniles were apprehended. Four were released, and the other was jailed for murder.

Deputy Ball was a United States Army WWI veteran. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, three brothers, and a sister.

Bio

  • Age 52
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Assault
  • Incident Date Saturday, June 27, 1942
  • Weapon Blunt object
  • Offender Charged with murder

disorderly, disturbance

Most Recent Reflection

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Deputy Sheriff Ball,
On today, the 80th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army as a member of the 30th “Old Hickory” Division in Europe fighting the Germans during World War I. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 28, 2022

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