Sheriff talks new law enforcement memorial in Selmer

May 12, 2025

Ryan Brooks,

SELMER, Tenn. — A special memorial is here to honor the lives of fallen officers.

The Tennessee Law Enforcement Memorial is honoring over 700 officers. It’s a special recognition to all fallen law enforcement officers in the state of Tennessee.

The wall is 4-and-a-half feet tall, 40 feet long and located at 300 Industrial Park Drive in Selmer at the Criminal Justice Complex.

“We found out that, even though the state of Tennessee does have a memorial wall on the Bicentennial Mall in Nashville, it was very exclusive. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it just means that it was basically officers like local, state, county and city officers. It didn’t include any of our partners in law enforcement,” said McNairy County Sheriff Guy Buck.

Family members of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty will have a place they can visit where their loved one is honored.

“It was just an idea I came up with because of the strong history of law enforcement in our county. We thought it was something that might be a tourism draw for the county,” said Sheriff Buck.

For officers that have never been memorialized or recognized, many departments hope this day will make a difference for years to come.

“[I] Had no idea what the undertaking would be. I had no idea how emotional we would be. This has actually been all-encompassing for about the last year,” said Sheriff Buck.

The last name put on the wall for 2024 was the late Sergeant Finley of the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department who was tragically killed in the line of duty while responding to a call about a suspicious person on December 14, 2024.

SEE ALSO: (12/24/2024) More details emerge involving the death of Selmer officer

“There’s 796 officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Every one of them got up that day and went to work for their community, for their state, for whatever agency with no idea they wouldn’t be coming home that day. This is just a very small token that we can do for their families, agencies, and everyone in the state,” said Sheriff Buck.

There is a jeep ride that will start at 10 a.m. and last until 12 p.m. on May 17 with many vendors and music present. Then, a dedication service will follow Saturday evening at 2 p.m.