Tennessee County Sheriff's Deputy Killed in Line of Duty After Responding to Shots-Fired Call
What to Know
- Weakley County Sheriff's Deputy Derrick Bonham was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call at the Days Inn in Martin, Tennessee.
- The suspect involved in the shooting was quickly apprehended by police and taken into custody.
- Funeral services for Deputy Bonham are scheduled for February 2, 2026, with a memorial service and law enforcement procession planned.
MARTIN, Tennessee -- A Weakley County Sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty early Friday morning after being shot while responding to a call for service.
The deputy was identified as Derrick Bonham, 37, was a nearly two-year veteran of the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office, and graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy on Dec. 21, 2023, according to a news release.
According to the Martin Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:51 a.m. to a disturbance call reporting possible shots fired at 800 University Street, the Days Inn. Deputies from the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist.
As deputies were responding to the scene at approximately 3:09 a.m., they observed an occupied vehicle leaving 821 University Street near Pocket’s gas station, police said. The driver allegedly fired shots from the vehicle, striking a Weakley County deputy.
Martin police officers responded to the shooting scene on University Street, where the suspect was taken into custody. Deputy Bonham was transported to Volunteer Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, according to the agencies.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been requested to investigate the incident. Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public. Further information is expected to be released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Funeral services for Deputy Bonham are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Greenfield, Tennessee. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at the Greenfield School Gymnasium. Williams Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Following the memorial service, a law enforcement procession will escort Deputy Bonham to Highland Cemetery for interment with full law enforcement honors. The sheriff’s office released the official procession route to support coordinated operations and traffic control.
Sheriff Terry McDade said the department remains focused on supporting Deputy Bonham’s family, his coworkers, and regional partners while maintaining operational readiness. He also requested privacy for the family and said credentialed media will not be permitted inside the memorial service venue. A media staging area and briefing will be held separately.
In a statement, McDade said, “Deputy Derrick Bonham gave his life in service to others. His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his name will forever be honored within the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office and the communities he so faithfully served.”
Martin Police Chief Phillip W. Fuqua said the deputy was assisting the department at the time of the shooting. “All of us at Martin Police Department direct our thoughts and prayers to Deputy Bonham’s family, friends and to all of WCSO,” Fuqua said. “We are devastated at the loss of this young man while assisting our agency.”