Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff R.D. Ellis was shot and killed in an ambush in front of the Scott County Jail at 7:45 pm.
He was walking a prisoner into the jail when he was shot in the back of the head by subjects who were hiding behind trees. After shooting Sheriff Ellis, the subjects fled down the river bank.
The prisoner did not try to escape when Sheriff Ellis was ambushed.
Several subjects were arrested, but there are no details about the results of the trial.
Sheriff Ellis had served as Sheriff of Scott County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-0C9BB611- 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.
Sheriff Ellis gave the Scott County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Richard D. Ellis 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 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 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Scott County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 8 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. Richard D. Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How Richard D. Ellis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard D. Ellis is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Scott County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
