Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Billy Joe Dickens was shot and killed while responding to a bank robbery in progress at the Central Valley National Bank at 6800 Hughson Avenue in Hughson. Deputy Dickens responded to the scene after an employee activated a silent alarm. The two suspects shot him as they fled the bank. They then stole his unmarked car and fled the scene. One of the two suspects was later shot and killed by other officers. The second suspect was arrested and convicted of robbery and murder of a peace officer. He was sentenced to death but the sentence was reduced to life without parole in 1972 when the death penalty was abolished. Deputy Dickens had served with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife three daughters, sister, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-C75EFE34- 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 Dickens gave the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Modesto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dickens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Billy Joe Dickens 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Stanislaus County Sheriff's Dept., 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Billy Joe Dickens's cause is highlighted.
How Billy Joe Dickens Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Billy Joe Dickens is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Billy Joe Dickens was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Stanislaus County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
