Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Jack Gillespie succumbed to a stab wound sustained two days earlier while attempting to break up a fight at the Dahlonega Public Square. A large crowd had gathered to await the day's election results. Two men began to fight and Sheriff Gillespie immediately intervened. One of the men stabbed him in the side. Despite being mortally wounded, Sheriff Gillespie took the man into custody. The sheriff was taken to Downey Hospital where he died two days later. The subject who stabbed him was convicted of murder and sentenced to only five to seven years. Sheriff Gillespie was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-D671D68D- 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 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.
Sheriff Gillespie gave the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dahlonega community, and 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
Jack L. Gillespie served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Jack L. Gillespie 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Jack L. Gillespie's cause is highlighted.
How Jack L. Gillespie Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 7 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jack L. Gillespie is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jack L. Gillespie was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
