Funeral, 'sea of blue' held for Weakley County deputy killed in line of duty

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ordered flags at the State Capitol to fly at half-staff on Monday in remembrance of Weakley County Deputy Sheriff Derrick Bonham, who lost his life in the line of duty last week.

Funeral services were held at Greenfield High School. A procession of his fellow officers escorted Bonham to Highland Cemetery with law enforcement honors.

On Sunday evening, more than 360 police cruisers and emergency response vehicles, including a helicopter, joined together for a "Sea of Blue" drive to honor the fallen deputy. Community members stood in the cold with hands over their hearts, waving flags as the hundreds of law enforcement units passed by in tribute.

UPDATE SUNDAY:
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Weakley County Tennessee Deputy Derrick Bonham, who was killed in the line of duty on January 30.

The funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, at Greenfield High School.

The visitation is set for 10 a.m. and the memorial service will be held at 2 p.m.

UPDATE SATURDAY:
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of an Ohio woman in connection to the shooting death of Weakley County deputy Derrick Bonham.

On Friday morning just before 3:00 a.m., deputies with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist officers with the Martin Police Department in reference to a report of shots fired at a hotel on University Street.

Bonham, who was checking a nearby gas station for witnesses encountered 44-year-old Khristi Dawn Cunningham.

For reasons still under investigation, Cunningham brandished a weapon and shot the deputy. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died. No other officers were injured in the incident.

Martin Police officers responded to the shooting scene and took Cunningham into custody.

TBI agents have charged Cunningham with first degree murder.

She is being held without bond.


ORIGINAL STORY:
A Weakley County Sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed in the line of duty in an incident in Martin early Friday morning.

The Martin Police Department said they received a call about a disturbance and possibly shots being fired near the Days Inn on University Street just before 3 a.m. As Weakley County deputies and Martin Police arrived in the area, a vehicle was seen fleeing from a nearby gas station. The driver is said to have shot at and hit one of the Weakley County deputies.

The deputy, later identified by KYTN as 38-year-old Derrick Bonham, died from his injuries at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin.

The suspect in the shooting was captured.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been tasked with investigating the incident.


Photos: Charles Choate – 104.9 KYTN/105.7 WQAK; Graves County Sheriff's office