Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Chad Pritchard died when he fell into a sinkhole just outside of Standing Stone State Park.
He, another deputy, and two state park rangers, were investigating a cold case homicide in the area of Rocky Mound Road when they came across the sinkhole. As Deputy Prichard attempted to get a closer look with his flashlight, the ground around the sinkhole gave way and he fell approximately 160-feet to the bottom.
Rescue personnel responded to the scene and recovered his body several hours later.
Deputy Pritchard had served as a deputy for only 2-1/2 months. He had previously served in the Overton County Jail and in the United States Army in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-8A45A617- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Chad. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Chad is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Pritchard served with the Overton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Livingston community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Chad Wesley Pritchard served in the U.S. Army (2005â2008) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Chad Wesley Pritchard is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In TN, 191 of 769 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 24.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Overton County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Chad Wesley Pritchard's cause is highlighted.
How Chad Wesley Pritchard Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Chad Wesley Pritchard is highlighted in Apr.
Incident Location
Military Service
Chad Wesley Pritchard served in the U.S. Army (2005–2008) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Chad Wesley Pritchard’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Overton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
