Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Jones was shot and killed, and a Chattanooga detective was seriously wounded while attempting to arrest two men who had robbed a victim of his coat and hat.
One of the subjects opened fire on Deputy Jones with a shotgun, striking him once in the stomach. The detective managed to return fire, hitting one subject in the leg. He was captured at the scene, and the other suspect was captured an hour later.
Both suspects, 19 and 21, were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. One was denied parole on April 29, 1948. The other suspect was paroled on February 11, 1963.
Deputy Jones had served in law enforcement for 50 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-58A6D128- 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
50 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Jones gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 50 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Jones.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Bell Jones 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 Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, 12 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Bell Jones's cause is highlighted.
How John Bell Jones Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Bell Jones is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Bell Jones was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
