Man sentenced to prison for attempted murder of police officer

HENDERSON, Tenn. — On March 26, 2023, Henderson Police Department Patrolman Carson Naylor responded to 616 Hill Avenue to investigate a potential criminal complaint.

Patrolman Naylor, together with Patrolman Jonathan Menzie, arrived at the address and attempted to make contact with the resident, Terrance Terrell Howard. Upon arrival, another resident informed patrolmen that Mr. Howard was not home. Dispatch confirmed that Howard had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Deputy Abraham Redman responded to 616 Hill Avenue to deliver the arrest warrant and to assist Patrolman Naylor with searching the residence for Howard. During the search, Patrolman Naylor opened a bedroom door and found Howard standing in the doorway holding a shotgun. Patrolman Naylor ordered Howard to put the gun down. Howard instead fired a shot through the wall, striking Patrolman Naylor in his department–issued vest.

After an hours–long standoff, Howard surrendered to authorities. The Chester County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Howard for Attempted First–Degree Murder, Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and other misdemeanor charges. 

The State of Tennessee, represented by Assistant District Attorney General Justin Prescott, tried the defendant before a jury on July 24, 2024. The jury convicted the defendant of Attempted First–Degree Murder of Patrolman Naylor and Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. On October 22, 2024, the Honorable Judge Donald Allen, Chester County Circuit Court Division II, sentenced Howard to twenty–four (24) years for the attempted murder of Patrolman Naylor and to six (6) years for the charge of Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Judge Allen ordered that all the sentences would run consecutive to each other to serve in the Tennessee Department of Correction for a total effective sentence of thirty (30) years without parole. 

“Being a law enforcement officer is an extremely dangerous job as evidenced by the facts of this case.” said District Attorney General Jody Pickens. “Every day the men and women of law enforcement get up, go to work, and put their lives on the line to protect people they don’t even know. I am grateful that Patrolman Naylor was not killed by the actions of this defendant and that the good citizens of Chester County who served on the jury returned guilty verdicts. Assistant District Attorney General Prescott did an outstanding job at trial and, as a result of his efforts working with law enforcement, made Chester County a safer place for all that live in that community.“

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