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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Billy Joe Dickens was shot and killed while responding to a bank robbery in progress at the Central Valley National Bank at 6800 Hughson Avenue in Hughson. Deputy Dickens responded to the scene after an employee activated a silent alarm. The two suspects shot him as they fled the bank. They then stole his unmarked car and fled the scene. One of the two suspects was later shot and killed by other officers. The second suspect was arrested and convicted of robbery and murder of a peace officer. He was sentenced to death but the sentence was reduced to life without parole in 1972 when the death penalty was abolished. Deputy Dickens had served with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife three daughters, sister, and mother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dickens gave the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Modesto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dickens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Billy is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Billy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Billy is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 24 officers in CA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Billy was 36. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Billy had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Billy was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Billy had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Billy was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Billy had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Billy among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
