Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Mayo succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained four months earlier when he was shot while attempting to arrest two escapees, a man and woman, from the Dickson County Jail. The male was a fugitive after having previously escaped from a jail in Connecticut while being held on an attempted murder charge. After escaping from the Dickson County Jail the couple broke into a home and robbed the owner before stealing a car. A Dickson County constable found the couple driving the car on Highway 49 the following day and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed as it rounded a curve approximately four miles east of Charlotte. During the ensuing manhunt, K9 Max, with the Dickson Police Department, was fatally shot after locating the man hiding in a tree. Deputy Mayo heard the shots and was shot in the neck as he neared the area. The subject was able to escape but was later shot and killed during a shootout with members of the Connecticut State Police. Deputy Sheriff Mayo was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was the recipient of a Combat Infantryman Badge with star, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Purple Heart. He served in law enforcement for 24 years.
Survivors
Deputy Sheriff Mayo was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-32422AB4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Robert 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 Mayo gave the Dickson County Sheriff's Office 24 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte 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
Robert E. Mayo served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Robert E. Mayo 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 97,756 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 Dickson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. Robert E. Mayo's cause is highlighted.
How Robert E. Mayo Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert E. Mayo is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert E. Mayo was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Robert E. Mayo served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert E. Mayo’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Dickson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
