Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Heithcock was shot and killed while assisting the Fairview police chief following a vehicle pursuit. The chief had attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding. The driver initially stopped but pointed a gun at the chief and ordered him back into his car before fleeing. The pursuit lasted approximately five miles until the man pulled into his own driveway in the Bon Aqua community on Route 100 at the county line with Hickman County. The man began shooting at the Fairview officers. As Deputy Heitcock arrived at the scene the suspect opened fire from a ditch and shot him in the chest with a shotgun. The subject was convicted of Deputy Heithcock's murder but was released from prison after 11 years. Deputy Heithcock had served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office for only two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-437B866A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Heithcock served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Franklin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Heithcock.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Morris Heithcock is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Williamson County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Morris Heithcock's cause is highlighted.
How John Morris Heithcock Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 11 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Morris Heithcock is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Morris Heithcock was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Williamson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
