Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ronnal Stanley was shot and killed during a foot pursuit through a wooded area near Butler, Tennessee. A hit-and-run accident occurred at 7:30 p.m. on Highway 67 in Butler. Deputy Stanley and other officers arrived on the scene. When they attempted to arrest one of the men for possible drunk driving, a scuffle broke out, and one subject ran into the woods. Deputy Stanley had caught up to the subject, but during the ensuing struggle, the man was able to obtain control of his service weapon and shot him. The 18-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. He was paroled in 2004. Deputy Stanley had served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department for 9 months. He was usually a Reserve Officer but was filling in for a deputy who was training.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, father, mother, two brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-9B58273C- 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.
Auxiliary Deputy Stanley served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mountain City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Deputy Stanley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Auxiliary Deputy Ronnal Ralph Stanley 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. Ronnal Ralph Stanley's cause is highlighted.
How Ronnal Ralph Stanley Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 2004
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronnal Ralph Stanley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronnal Ralph Stanley 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.
