Chief Deputy James Louis Wright, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

Chief Deputy James Louis Wright

Polk County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

End of Watch Saturday, March 8, 1958

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James 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

AMBUSH

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I was 2 when this happened. My father talked a lot about this through the years. As it goes there was lots of violence Above the mountains during that period. Many people just disappeared left the country or were killed because they crossed the wrong person or supported the opposition party. I believe Lewis served under Bud Payne who was the last GGL Sheriff.

Richard Taylor
Polk County

August 15, 2025