It was quiet Friday morning at the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office. Outside, flags flew at half-staff, and inside, Sheriff Terry McDade stood before a press gathering at the front lobby.
The Sheriff explained all he could regarding the death of Deputy Derrick Bonham, 38, who was killed in the line of duty just hours earlier while assisting Martin Police Department on a call.
According to a press release from Martin Police, officers responded around 2:51 a.m. to a disturbance at the Days Inn on University Street. Deputies from the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist.
McDade said that as Bonham arrived in the area around 3:09 a.m., he encountered a white vehicle at a nearby gas station. Bonham exited his patrol vehicle and began speaking with the driver.
“She opened her door, fired, and did strike him,” McDade said.
Bonham fell to the ground, and the woman then exited her vehicle.
“She walked over and shot him again,” McDade said.
Bonham was rushed to Volunteer Community Hospital, where emergency room staff attempted lifesaving measures.
“They worked on him harder than anybody I’ve ever seen work on somebody,” McDade said. “To no avail.”
Bonham had succumbed to his injuries.
McDade described Deputy Bonham as quiet, and devoted to both his job and his family.
“A humble young guy with a beautiful wife and three young children,” he said. “The kind of person you want to hire. He just never caused an issue. I don’t think I ever heard the kid raise his voice to anyone.”
“We are devastated, to say the least,” McDade added, “but nothing compares to what his family is going through.”
The suspect was taken into custody at the scene.
McDade declined to release the suspect’s name, citing the ongoing investigation. He said information released by local agencies will be limited moving forward.
The investigation has been turned over to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
“I hope for the death penalty,” he said. “I’m not that person, but that’s what I want, personally.”
Further details are expected to be released by TBI as the investigation continues.
