UPDATED 2/4/26: Ohio Woman Arrested in Shooting Death of Weakley County Deputy

WEAKLEY COUNTY — 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, a Greenfield resident.

Khristi Dawn Cunningham, 44, from Stark County, Ohio is charged with First Degree Murder and being held without bond. 

Cunningham's arrest warrant provided details not previously released to the public, the information is as follows: 

"The undersigned affiant, after being duly sworn according to the law, states that Khristi Dawn Cunningham whose name is otherwise unknown to the affiant, committed the offense of T.C.A. 39-13-202 in the above [Weakley] county on or about January 30, 2026. 

"Further, affiant makes oath that the essential facts constituting said offense, the sources of affiant's information, and the reasons why his/her information is believable concerning said facts are as follows: 

"On 01/30/2026 at approximately 0252 hours, Khristi Dawn Cunningham utilized the Weakley 9-1-1 Call System to call in a "shots fired" call at the Days Inn (800 University St, Martin, TN) while firing a shot from a pistol at or near the Days Inn parking lot. Shortly thereafter, Cunningham drove to the parking lot of Pocket's convenience store (821 University St.) and positioned herself in a location to observe Martin Police Department officers' arrival at the Days Inn. During this time, Cunningham continued calling 9-1-1 and hanging up. Law enforcement personnel were able to utilize the GPS location of Cunningham's cell phone, which placed her cell phone at or near Pocket's convenience store. Subsequently, Weakley County Sheriff's Deputy Derrick Bonham arrived at Pocket's and parked beside Cunningham's vehicle. When Deputy Bonham made contact with Cunningham, she was on a call with 9-1-1. When the call ended, Deputy Bonham asked Cunningham to exit her vehicle. According to Deputy Bonham's body worn camera, Cunningham exited her vehicle, produced a pistol, and immediately shot Deputy Bonham. Cunningham shot Deputy Bonham three more times while Deputy Bonham was incapacitated on the ground. Cunningham then fired two more shots in the direction of Martin Police Department officers who were in the parking lot of the Days Inn. Deputy Bonham died as a result of Cunningham premeditatedly and intentionally shooting him. This incident did occur in Weakley County, Tennessee."

Derrick, age 37, is survived by his wife, Nicole Bonham of Greenfield, and three children, Harper, Hayden, and Hudson. He also leaves behind his mother, Bertha Bonham; father, John Bonham; brother, John Boy (Cynthia) Bonham; nephew and niece, Daniel and Frankie; in-laws, Troy and BeLynda Jones; uncle, Jerry Armes; and grandmother-in-law, June Neblett.

At the request of 27th Judicial District Attorney General Colin Johnson, TBI special agents began investigating the on-duty homicide of a Weakley County deputy that occurred Friday morning. Just before 3 a.m., January 30, deputies with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist officers with the Martin Police Department in reference to a shots-fired call at a hotel in the 800 block of University Street in Martin. A deputy, who was checking a nearby gas station for witnesses, encountered Khristi Dawn Cunningham (DOB: 12/14/81) just after 3 a.m. 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 subsequently took Cunningham into custody. TBI agents charged Cunningham with one count of First Degree Murder. She is being held without bond.

On Sunday evening, representatives of area law enforcement agencies paraded along highways in Weakley County to show their support for Officer Bonham.

It was an impressive display of support for the slain officer and his family - a wife and three children. Bonham was born in East Tennessee, married a Weakley County girl, served in the military, and was an officer for the Greenfield Police Department and later the Weakley County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff McDade said Bonham was a kind person, an officer who caused no problems, and was eager to serve the citizens. He was an officer whom any department would love to have.

The Sheriff said that he personally does not cry, especially in public. But the last few days changed that.

The Greenfield, Weakley County, and area communities have been very supportive, said the sheriff.

The flags were at half-staff in Weakley County. Governor Bill Lee announced flags would fly at half-staff at the State Capitol.

Bonham's funeral was on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Greenfield School Gymnasium. Burial was in Highland Cemetery in Greenfield.

A memorial fund for the family's use is at the Greenfield Banking Company.

From Sheriff Terry McDade
To the Incredible Community of Weakley County and Beyond:

I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming show of support and love that you displayed tonight, honoring Deputy Derrick Bonham. Your presence, standing in the cold with your hands over your hearts and waving flags, created a powerful and moving tribute that will be remembered forever.

As hundreds of units passed by in the Sea of Blue, it was a powerful reminder of the bond that we share as a community and the strength of the thin blue line. Your willingness to brave the elements and stand united for Deputy Bonham and his family reflects the true spirit of Weakley County - a spirit marked by compassion, respect, and unwavering support for those who serve in the line of duty.

This demonstration of love not only honored Deputy Bonham’s life and sacrifice but also provided warmth to his family during such a difficult time. Your dedication to showing up for them, reinforcing the message that they are not alone in their paralyzing grief, speaks volumes about the heart and soul of our community.

As we prepare to pay our final respects to Deputy Bonham Monday from 10 AM to 2 PM at Greenfield School Gymnasium, I urge everyone to remember the family and all of us in public safety during this difficult time. Your thoughts, prayers, and presence are invaluable.

Thank you for displaying the values that make Weakley County special. Together, we stand strong, supporting one another through both the joyous and the heartbreaking moments.

Let us continue to carry forward Deputy Bonham’s legacy of service, love, and commitment to our community. Hug your kids extra tight tonight and pray for Nicole and his family…because the truth about the matter is…Deputy Bonham should still be here serving with us.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Sheriff Terry McDade
Weakley County Sheriff's Office

Henry County Now, a product of Forever Communications, released the following story on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, providing history on the suspect from Ohio. 

Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Weakley County Deputy Worked for Ohio Corrections

WEAKLEY COUNTY (February 3, 2026) - Khristi Dawn Cunningham (DOB: 12/14/81), the woman who is charged with the shooting death of Weakley County Deputy Derrick Bonham, worked for the Ohio Corrections Department, according to Northwest Ohio news media.

Khristi Dawn Cunningham is 44 and from Stark County, Ohio. She is charged with First Degree Murder and being held without bond.

According to News5 of Cleveland, she worked as a manager at Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility and as a corrections officer for the State of Ohio.

Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility is in Massillon. A neighbor told News5 she saw law enforcement outside Cunningham’s Canal Fulton home on Saturday (after the shooting) but there hasn’t been anyone at Cunningham’s home for a couple of weeks.

News5 reported that according to records from the State of Ohio State Personnel Board of Review, Cunningham filed a complaint alleging a violation of the state’s whistleblower protection. In the 2021 filing, it identified Cunningham as an operations manager for the Ohio Department of Youth Services.

The Board dismissed Cunningham’s appeal.

A spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Corrections said Cunningham worked as a corrections officer at Richland Correctional Institution from December 2023 until she resigned in September 2025, according to News5.

According to the Canton Repository, Cunningham and her husband were described as Akron residents when they were featured in a 2011 ABC News story about having Black and White twins.