John Dillon
Agency patch
Constable

John Dillon

Mingo County Constable's Office — Williamson, WV
Felonious
End of Watch December 24, 1901
The Vigil Panel 17 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable John Dillon was shot and killed in Dingess, West Virginia.

A group of men from Logan County had ridden into town and started a disturbance after becoming drunk. Constable Dillon was called for after the men starting firing shots in town.

When Constable Dillon arrived he exchanged shots with the men. Constable Dillon and one of the suspects were killed in the shootout, and a second suspect was wounded. The men, including the wounded one, were able to mount their horses and flee the town.

John Dillon was my great grandfather. I have heard the story of his heroism and death since childhood. Thank you for remembering him.

Sandra Reed Great grand daughter March 17th, 2024

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-BE6D7C63
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Dillon served with the Mingo County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Williamson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Dillon.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Williamson, WV
Platform Identity mcco.mingo.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 24, 1901
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

Constable John Dillon 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Mingo County Constable's Office
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
WV — Statewide
169
of 232 officers
72.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Dillon's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How John Dillon Compares

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Dillon is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Dillon was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518