Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Mark Vance was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call at 427 Belmont Drive in Bristol.
Dispatchers had received reports from a third party that a man was inside a residence, threatening a juvenile female. Officer Vance was the first to arrive at the scene and entered the house around 9:20 p.m.
As Officer Vance's backup officer walked towards the front door, he observed a handgun being raised but did not see who was holding it because his view was blocked by an interior wall. The suspect was holding the gun and fired a single shot, striking Office Vance in the head and killing him. Office Vance's service weapon was still in its holster.
After shooting Officer Vance, the suspect dropped the gun and exited the front of the house, where he was taken into custody by the responding officers. The man was convicted of first-degree murder and given a death sentence in connection with Officer Vance's murder.
Officer Vance was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served as a full-time officer with the Bristol Police Department for 1.5 years and had previously served as an auxiliary officer for 4 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, stepson, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B83BE494- 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 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.
Police Officer Vance gave the Bristol Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bristol community. Thank you 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
Mark Edward Vance served in the Marine Corps (1992â1993) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Mark Edward Vance 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 Bristol Police Dept., 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. Mark Edward Vance's cause is highlighted.
How Mark Edward Vance Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted and sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark Edward Vance is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark Edward Vance was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Bristol Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
