In the quiet town of Cookeville, Tennessee, a domestic dispute escalated into a fatal act of violence within the walls of the Double Springs Community Church. Etta Medley, a 61-year-old woman, lost her life in a heroic attempt to protect her sister. The tragic events unfolded on a Sunday morning, February 2, 2014, when she and her sister, Wanda Meadows, arrived early at the church.
They were the only two present when Wanda's estranged husband, 64-year-old Tommy Meadows, entered the church armed and searching for his wife.
A struggle ensued, during which Tommy Meadows shot his sister-in-law, Etta Medley. In the midst of the chaos, Wanda Meadows managed to escape unharmed. After shooting Medley, Tommy Meadows then took his own life. Law enforcement officials who responded to the scene found Medley with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and Meadows deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Etta Medley was transported to Cookeville Regional Hospital for her injuries. However, she succumbed to the gunshot wound and died on Sunday, February 10, 2014. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident, stating that Medley was trying to save her sister when she was shot. Due to the death of the suspect, Tommy Meadows, there were no arrests or a trial in this case.
