Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Allen Lipford was shot and killed by a felon as he escaped from the county jail after overpowering two other deputies and taking one's service revolver. The inmate had initially overpowered a jail officer at about 3:15 am and was fleeing the facility when he encountered another deputy in the parking lot. A struggle ensued, and the subject was able to disarm the deputy. Deputy Lipford was exiting his patrol car to assist the other deputy when the man opened fire and shot him in the head, killing him. He then stole Deputy Lipford's patrol car and fled. Deputy Lipford was transported to a hospital in nearby Boone, North Carolina, where he later died. The 24-year-old suspect was found the next day hiding under a pile of leaves in Shady Valley. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1993, he had 25 years added to his sentence for a conviction of crimes ranging from theft to armed robbery. He has a parole hearing in November 2022. Deputy Lipford had served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He is survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter. On July 6th, 2021, the Deputy Sheriff Allen R. Lipford Memorial Bridge was named in his honor.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-4993DA47- 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 Lipford gave the Johnson County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mountain City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lipford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Allen Richard Lipford 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 Johnson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Allen Richard Lipford's cause is highlighted.
How Allen Richard Lipford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Allen Richard Lipford is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Allen Richard Lipford was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
