Martin, Tennessee — A quiet community in Weakley County woke up Friday to heartbreaking news — Deputy Derrick Bonham, a devoted father and husband, was shot and killed early in the morning while answering what should have been a routine call for help. His beating heart stopped just after he was rushed from the scene to Volunteer Community Hospital.
Just before 3:00 a.m. on January 30, 2026, Martin police were called to the Days Inn on University Street after reports of a disturbance and possible gunshots. Deputies from the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office, including Bonham, joined the response, ready to help fellow officers and protect citizens.
As the officers approached the nearby Pocket’s gas station, they spotted a vehicle pulling away. According to authorities, the driver fired into the darkness, striking Bonham. Shot in the line of duty while simply trying to serve, he fell to the ground as the world around him blurred into chaos.
Bonham was hurried to the hospital, but even the efforts of emergency staff couldn’t bring him back. Sheriff Terry McDade described the killing as “horrific” and intentional, painting a grim picture of what deputies faced that night. The suspect, later taken into custody by Martin police, is a woman whose identity hasn’t yet been released to the public.
Deputy Bonham’s story is one of service. He was from Greenfield, originally East Tennessee, and had served with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office for nearly two years. He was just months shy of his second anniversary with the department, a quiet and humble man respected by his peers and loved by his community.
At 37 years old, Bonham’s life was rich with family. He leaves behind his wife Nicole and their three young children, ages 7, 4, and 3. The loss has rippled far beyond law enforcement circles, touching neighbors, friends, and strangers who know bravery when they see it.
In the wake of his death, a memorial fund has been opened and a community tribute called a “Sea of Blue” is planned to honor his life and sacrifice. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues to lead the probe into what happened that morning. Officials say there’s no ongoing threat to the public, and Martin’s mayor has called the shooting a devastating blow to the town.
His colleagues describe him with simple but meaningful words: dependable, compassionate, and committed. As Martin and Weakley County grieve, people remember not just the badge he wore, but the life he lived — a life given in service to others.
