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
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsBigdaddy I've been thinking about you, Bigmama & mother a lot lately & wishing I could have known you. I know you're proud of me & my children, even though we didn't meet. My mother raised me right & the way our family is now is not what she wanted at all, but working on fixing that. She made Keith into a reputable man though after she passed he went astray from that. I wish someone would investigate & find yours & Mr. Roger's assailants but the TBI failed both of you miserably. I love you. Take care of Bigmama & mother.
Your granddaughter,
Michele Gregory (JoAnn's daughter)
Michele Gregory
June 17, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Enrique Martinez
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: November 4, 2024
Detective Clarence E. Word, III
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: October 1, 2024
Trooper Corey S. Thompsen
Illinois State Police, IL
EOW: October 18, 2024
Detective Maurice "Mo" Joseph
Norfolk Police Department, VA
EOW: October 9, 2024
Corrections Officer Bradford D. McNew
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: October 12, 2024
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services, US
EOW: September 2, 2024
Park Ranger Kevin Melvin Grossheim
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, US
EOW: October 6, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Lex Allen Love
Wise County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: October 2, 2024
Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia
Cameron County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, TX
EOW: September 30, 2024