Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Sumner Dillard was shot and killed after he and an officer had just arrested two subjects for illegally transporting liquor and fleeing from officers at 11:00 a.m. After a short pursuit, the officers finally stopped the vehicle on Fishing Ford Road, west of Shelbyville. Chief Sumner and another officer arrested the two subjects. They were driving away when the owner of the alcohol opened fire on the patrol car with a .30 caliber rifle, striking Chief Dillard in the back of the head. The suspect was apprehended at the scene and later charged with first-degree murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10- 20 years. Chief Dillard had served with the Shelbyville Police Department for over five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-6491E132- 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.
Chief of Police Dillard served with the Shelbyville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Shelbyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dillard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Sumner A. Dillard 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 Shelbyville Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sumner A. Dillard's cause is highlighted.
How Sumner A. Dillard Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sumner A. Dillard is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sumner A. Dillard was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Shelbyville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
