Patrolman Henry Preston Bryant

Henry Preston Bryant

Patrolman Henry Bryant was killed in an automobile accident during a vehicle pursuit.

Patrolman Bryant and Patrolman Durwood Thompson were responding to request to help intercept an alleged drunken driver west of Larkinsville on Lee highway. When the patrol car driven by officer Bryant approached the cross roads a truck swerved from the left side of the road into the highway, crossing the center line, and collided with the approaching patrol car. Patrolman Bryant was taken to a Chattanooga, Tennessee, hospital were he died at 11AM. Patrolman Thompson was treated for severe cuts at Hodges hospital in Scottsboro, Alabama, and released.

The driver of the truck, and his passenger, had minor injuries. The passenger told officers that they had been drinking and the drive arrested and charged with second degree murder. The passenger was held as a material witness.

Patrolman Bryant had served with the agency for eight years and was survived by his wife and son.