MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) -- A West Tennessee law enforcement officer and a suspect were killed during an officer-involved shooting in McNairy County Saturday afternoon.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), members of the Selmer Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious person outside a home in the 100 block of New Bethel Road just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Police said they were told a man had tried to force his way into a home, fired several shots into the door, and ran off before law enforcement arrived. After authorities learned the man was across the street, Officer Rick Finley -- who reportedly worked part-time with the Selmer Police Department and full-time with the McNairy County Sheriff's Office -- found him in a driveway.
When Finley got to the scene, he encountered 39-year-old Daniel Jeremiah Holmes, who allegedly attacked Finley before firing several shots and fatally wounding him. A second officer arrived and returned fire, striking Holmes, who was pronounced dead at the scene, the TBI said.
"TBI agents continue to work to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his review and consideration," the bureau said in a statement. "The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters; that decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI's involvement."
The McNairy County Sheriff's Office said authorities from across the state are escorting Finley -- who was a sergeant at the sheriff's office -- from Memphis to McNairy County on Sunday, Dec. 15. They should be traveling through Selmer around 5:30 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. before proceeding to the Shackleford Funeral Home, so anyone who wants to show support and pay their respects is asked to be on Mulberry between the city park and downtown.
Law enforcement and emergency response agencies across Middle Tennessee, as well as a couple state lawmakers, turned to social media on Saturday and Sunday to share their prayers condolences with both the Selmer Police Department and the McNairy County Sheriff's Office:
Please join us in keeping the family of Selmer Police Officer, the Selmer Police Department, and the McNairy County community in your prayers, as they have lost an Officer in the line of duty today.
On behalf of Sheriff Dale King and deputies at the Decatur County Sheriff's Office, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and officers at the Selmer Police Department and McNairy County Sheriff's Office who lost their beloved fellow officer, whose life was heroically sacrificed in the line of duty responding to a call for service.
Sheriff Eads and the Dickson County Sheriff's Office are saddened to learn of the death of Officer Rick Finley of the Selmar Police Department and McNairy County Sheriff's Office. We ask that you join us in lifting the officers family, friends and these law enforcement agencies up in prayer. Rest easy brother Finley.
The Henry County Sheriff's Office ask that you keep the McNairy County Sheriff's Office and Selmer PD in your prayers. As they mourn the loss of an officer this evening.
The Hickman County Sheriff's Office extends our deepest condolences to the McNairy County Sheriff's Office, Selmer P.D, and the family of your fallen deputy. Earlier this evening a Deputy working part time with the Selmer Police Department was shot and succumbed to their injuries. Our hearts are heavy with you during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Lewis County Sheriff's Office extends our condolences to the McNairy County Sheriff's Office, Selmer P.D, and the family of the fallen Deputy today. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sheriff Hopper and the Smith County Sheriff's Office are saddened to learn of the tragic loss of a Selmer Tennessee Police Officer. Our condolences and our Prayers are with both the Department as well as the Officers family and friends.
We stand in solidarity with the McNairy County Sheriff's Office and the Selmer Police Department as they face the tragic loss of one of their own, who was killed in the line of duty today.
We honor his sacrifice and unwavering commitment to serving and protecting his community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and fellow officers during this time of unimaginable grief.
Please join us in lifting them up in prayer and reflection as we mourn the loss of this dedicated public servant.
Rest easy, brother.
Our hearts go out to the Selmer Police Department and the McNairy County Sheriff's Office during this difficult time.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Rick Finley, whose life was tragically taken in the line of duty. Officer Finley's courage, dedication, and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Please join us in keeping his loved ones and the entire Selmer and McNairy law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
- Matthew 5:9
The Centerville Police Department extends our deepest sympathy to the Selmer Police Department and McNairy County Sheriff's Department for the loss of their officer and deputy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of mourning.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and coworkers of part-time Selmer Police Department officer and full-time McNairy County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Rick Finley, who was killed in the line of duty. Sergeant Finley was working part-time for Selmer Police Department, when he was killed while on a suspicious person call.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Selmer Police Department, McNairy County Sheriff's Office, friends and family due to the loss of a fellow officer.
Our Thoughts Are with Selmer Police Department
Tonight, we stand in solidarity with the Selmer Police Department as they mourn the loss of one of their own. Our hearts are heavy, and we extend our deepest condolences to their department, the officer's family, and the entire community.
Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts during this difficult time.
#InHonor #PoliceFamily #EndOfWatch
We are saddened to learn of the tragic loss of a Selmer Tennessee Police Officer. Our condolences and our Prayers are with both the Department as well as the Officers family and friends.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the McNairy County Sheriff's Office Deputy, who tragically lost their life in the line of duty overnight while serving part-time as a Selmer Police Department officer.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones, as well as the Selmer and McNairy County communities, during this difficult time.
May we all take a moment to honor their service and remember the sacrifices made by those who work to keep us safe.
The Nolensville Police Department is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of an officer from the Selmer Tn Police Department due to gun violence.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen officer's family and his colleagues during this difficult time.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Selmer Police Department, and the McNairy County Sheriff's Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to McNairy County after an officer was killed in the line of duty yesterday. Please keep the officers, family and friends in your thoughts and prayers!
Prayers for the officer killed in the line of duty yesterday, his family, friends, as well as his work family. It's news you never want to see on here for sure
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and colleagues of officer Rick Finley of the Selmer Police Department and McNairy County Sheriff's Office who was fatally shot in the line of duty on 12/14/2024.
I am keeping the Selmer Police Department and the McNairy County Sheriff's Office in my thoughts tonight. My prayers remain with the entire McNairy County community.
Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Officer Rick Finley of the McNairy County Sheriff's Office and Selmer Police Department. We will never forget his sacrifice.