Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Tim Chapin was shot and killed after responding to a robbery at a pawn shop on Brainerd Road at approximately 10:25 am.
As responding officers arrived at the scene, they were immediately fired upon by the suspect from inside the store. As officers took to cover, the subject ran from a side door and continued firing at pursuing officers.
The subject then fired into Sergeant Chapin's patrol car as he arrived at the scene. The patrol car struck the subject, and Sergeant Chapin exited the vehicle and pursued the man on foot but was shot in the head and killed.
Other officers continued to return fire and shot the suspect before taking him into custody. One other officer was shot in the back, but the round was stopped by his vest. The suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest which stopped several rounds fired by the officers. He was subsequently shot above and below the vest before being taken into custody.
In November 2012, the subject pleaded guilty to six counts, including first-degree murder, and was sentenced to life without parole plus 25 years.
Sergeant Chapin had served with the Chattanooga Police Department for 27 years and had also served for one year with the United States Capitol Police.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-BEE9EFF3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Chapin gave the Chattanooga Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Chapin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James Timothy Chapin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Chattanooga Police Department, 19 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Timothy Chapin's cause is highlighted.
How James Timothy Chapin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Timothy Chapin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Timothy Chapin was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Chattanooga Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
