Jesse Eugene Tanner Jr. was a 19-year-old deputy with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office who had served about a year when he was killed on September 1, 1978. Assigned to serve an arrest warrant that day, he encountered resistance and a gun battle broke out. Deputy Tanner was struck multiple times and later died of his wounds; he returned fire and wounded the man who had shot him.

The wounded suspect fled but later sought treatment at a state hospital and was captured. He was convicted of murder, sentenced to life in prison, and later died while incarcerated. A park in Houston County was named in Deputy Tanner’s memory as a tribute to his service and sacrifice.

If anyone knew Deputy Tanner or has memories of him or the events surrounding September 1, 1978, please share what you remember.