Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bill Jones, and a retired police officer who was participating in a ride along with him, were shot and killed when they were ambushed by two brothers who held a grudge against the region's law enforcement agencies.
The two men opened fire on Deputy Jones' patrol car as he pulled up in front of their house to serve felony warrants for aggravated assault on the men. Despite being struck by numerous rounds, Deputy Jones was able to return fire, striking one of the suspects in the arm and leg.
The wounded suspect was arrested at a local hospital after seeking treatment. The other suspect turned himself in the next day. One of the suspects received a mistrial twice on charges of the first-degree murder of Deputy Jones. He was acquitted of murdering the retired police officer.
Deputy Jones was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Roane County Sheriff's Office for only nine months. He had previously served with the Rockwood Police Department, Crossville Police Department, Harriman Police Department, and Cumberland County Sheriff's Department. He had a total of 33 years of law enforcement experience.
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, two stepsons, mother, brothers, and sisters.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, two stepsons, mother, brothers, and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-0BB8BC6A- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Jones gave the Roane County Sheriff's Office 33 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kingston community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Birl Jones served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff William Birl Jones 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 97,759 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 Roane 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. William Birl Jones's cause is highlighted.
How William Birl Jones Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Birl Jones is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Birl Jones was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Military Service
William Birl Jones served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Birl Jones’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Roane County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
