Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer John Gillespie died after being assaulted by four federal prisoners during an escape attempt from the county jail in the 600 block of Walnut Street.
He and several trustees were taking a mattress into the cell when the inmates attacked him with iron piping that had been ripped out of the newly installed plumbing system. One of the trustees was also seriously injured as they attempted to stop the assault on Jailer Gillespie and keep the prisoners from escaping. Responding officers from the Chattanooga Police Department prevented the prisoners from making their escape. Jailer Gillespie died of a fractured skull the next day.
The four federal prisoners, 17, 19, 20, and 23, were charged with Jailer Gillespie's murder, convicted, and sentenced to life. The youngest was paroled in 1954. On December 16, 1960, he was sentenced to 15 years for his part with three others in the armed robbery of a man and his wife in their grocery store in Chattanooga. Both victims were shot in their legs with buckshot from a sawed-off shotgun. The 20-year-old was paroled on April 29, 1959. Two months later, he stole a car in Indiana, was apprehended, and sentenced to five years in Federal prison. Weeks later, he was transferred back to the Tennessee Penitentiary to finish his life sentence for violating his parole. He died in prison on February 16, 1964. The 23-year-old had a parole hearing on November 24, 1957. The result is unknown.
Jailer Gillespie was survived by his two brothers and sister.
Survivors
Jailer Gillespie was survived by his two brothers and sister.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-4ABDE752- Stewardship
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- 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.
Jailer Gillespie served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Gillespie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer John Asberry 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 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 Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, 12 of 16 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. John Asberry Gillespie's cause is highlighted.
How John Asberry Gillespie Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Asberry Gillespie is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Asberry Gillespie was killed by blunt object; iron pipe.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
