Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Ollie Bachtel was shot and killed when confronted by a deputy sheriff who believed that Jailer Bachtel had reported him for being drunk at the Hamilton County Jail at 601 Walnut Street in Chattanooga.
At 6:00 pm, the deputy entered the jail office and confronted Jailer Bachtel, accusing him of filing the complaint against him. Jailer Bachtel replied that he had not reported him to the Sheriff, but he could because he had seen him drunk. The deputy swore at Jailer Bachtel, who then stood up from his desk and walked toward the deputy. The deputy told him to stop. When Jailer Bachtel continued, the deputy shot him in the head and the chest. He was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead at 9 pm.
The deputy sheriff was arrested and tried for his murder. He pleaded self-defense and was acquitted.
Jailer Bachtel had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office as a jailer and a deputy sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B4A89311- 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.
Jailer Bachtel 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 Bachtel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer John Oliver Bachtel 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 Oliver Bachtel's cause is highlighted.
How John Oliver Bachtel Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Oliver Bachtel is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Oliver Bachtel was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
