First Responders

Truck Kills Memphis Police Officer

October 5, 2021Noelle Wiehe
Officer Adams

Memphis Police Department Officer Darrell Adams, 34, died Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, after being struck by an 18-wheel semitrailer truck. Photo courtesy of the Memphis Police Department.

Authorities continue to probe the death of Memphis Police Department Officer Darrell Adams, who was struck by an 18-wheel semitrailer truck on Saturday, Oct. 2.


Memphis Police Department officials told Coffee or Die Magazine on Monday that Tennessee Highway Patrol investigators detained an unnamed driver in connection with the fatal accident, but no charges have been filed.


The truck allegedly hit Adams, 34, at 11:08 a.m. Saturday while he stood along the shoulder of Interstate 40 West near North Watkins Street. He was one of a group of Austin Peay Station officers who had responded to reports of a two-car crash there.


“Today, my heart aches again for the loss of another dedicated servant of our city,” Memphis Police Department Chief C.J. Davis wrote in a prepared statement shared Saturday evening on social media. “I am in deep prayer for our officer’s family and the men and women of the Memphis Police Department.”


[ig_post url=”https://twitter.com/MEM_PoliceDept/status/1444412998571933703″ /]


Adams joined the force in mid-2016. He is survived by his wife.


Tennessee Highway Patrol officials didn’t respond to Coffee or Die‘s messages seeking comment.


Adams became the second Memphis Police officer to die in the line of duty this year, according to the department’s official in-memoriam website.


On May 22, Officer Scotty Triplett was on his motorcycle performing escort duties when an oncoming car struck him. The officer died of his injuries at a nearby hospital. 


According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, DC, vehicle accidents have killed 47 officers so far this year a 31% increase from the same period in 2020.


“It is a tragedy and it is something that we as law enforcement officers have to deal with far too often,” Shelby County, Tennessee, Deputy Sheriff Ernice Long told Coffee or Die. 


[ig_post url=”https://twitter.com/ShelbyTNSheriff/status/1444422244353052673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” /]


“As far as traffic accidents, It happens far, far too often,” Long continued. “Most of the time it’s because somebody is not really paying attention when we’re out there on the streets trying to handle some traffic event or something like that.” 


The Tennessee Department of Safety counts 986 traffic fatalities in the Volunteer State this year — a 10% rise from 2020.


Read Next: Feds: Dirty Cop Threatened To Order Sicario Hit on Fellow Officer’s Family



Noelle Wiehe
Noelle Wiehe

Noelle is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die through a fellowship from Military Veterans in Journalism. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and interned with the US Army Cadet Command. Noelle also worked as a civilian journalist covering several units, including the 75th Ranger Regiment on Fort Benning, before she joined the military as a public affairs specialist.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Curtis LeMay
Curtis LeMay: The World War II General Who Firebombed Japan

Who exactly was Gen. Curtis LeMay? And how did he become the commander who razed more than 60 Japanese cities during World War II?

eric smith marine corps commandant nominee
Highly Decorated Marine Officer Nominated To Be Next Commandant

President Joe Biden has nominated a highly decorated Marine officer who has been involved in the transformation of the force to be the next Marine Corps commandant.

USS Arizona
Profile of a Ship: USS Arizona

When the USS Arizona sank, it took 1,177 crew members with it. Today it remains beneath the water as a memorial to all those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.

b1 bombers bosnia
US Bombers Fly Over Bosnia in Sign of Support Amid Continued Secessionist Threats

A pair of U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flew low over Sarajevo and several other Bosnian cities...

SR-71 Blackbird
SR-71 Blackbird: The Spy Plane That Could Outrun Missiles

Lockheed Martin’s SR-71 Blackbird was a government secret for years. Now retired, a newer version plans to take its place.

medal of honor recipient remains returned
Missing 73 Years, Medal of Honor Recipient's Remains Return To Georgia

Soldiers of the 9th Infantry Regiment made a desperate retreat as North Korean troops closed in arou...

dear jack
Dear Jack: My Battalion Is Out of Control

In this installment of “Dear Jack,” Marine veteran and amateur life coach Jack Mandaville advises a lieutenant colonel on how to restore order in the lower ranks.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Request a Correction
  • Write for Us
  • General Inquiries
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved