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Weakley County sheriff’s deputy killed in line-of-duty shooting

A police officer in Weakley County was shot and killed early Friday morning while responding to a disturbance call in Martin, Tennessee.

Weakley County’s sheriff said the deputy, identified as 38-year-old Derrick Bonham, was trying to assist officers from the Martin Police Department. The city agency had received a call of possible shots fired at the Days Inn near the University of Tennessee at Martin campus. S

Sheriff Terry McDade said Bonham approached a car at a gas station across the street from the hotel that fit the description of the one described in the call for assistance. McDade says the driver of the car, a woman who has not yet been publicly identified, opened her door and shot Bonham. The sheriff said the suspect allegedly shot Bonham again after he fell to the ground.

Bonham was taken to a local hospital for treatment, where he later died.

McDade said the suspect has been arrested.

Bonham, who McDade said was originally from east Tennessee, had worked for the Weakley County Sheriff’s office for just under two years.

This story will be updated when the suspect's name is publicly released.

Hannah Saad is the Assistant News Director for WKMS. Originally from Michigan, Hannah earned her bachelor’s degree in news media from The University of Alabama in 2021. Hannah moved to western Kentucky in the summer of 2021 to start the next chapter of her life after graduation. Prior to joining WKMS in March 2023, Hannah was a news reporter at The Paducah Sun. Her goal at WKMS is to share the stories of the region from those who call it home. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys exploring local restaurants, sports photography, painting, and spending time with her husband, Alex, and their two dogs.
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