Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Swafford was shot and killed while he and several other deputies raided a still 15 miles south of Pikeville.
During the raid one of the suspects opened fire, mortally wounding Deputy Swafford. Other deputies returned fire, killing the suspect.
Deputy Swafford was survived by his father, who served as sheriff and was present during the raid.
Survivors
Deputy Swafford was survived by his father, who served as sheriff and was present during the raid.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-9373ECE7- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Swafford served with the Bledsoe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Swafford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Ulysses Swafford 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 Bledsoe County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 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 Ulysses Swafford's cause is highlighted.
How John Ulysses Swafford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Ulysses Swafford is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Ulysses Swafford was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Bledsoe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
