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Incident
Chief of Police Sumner Dillard was shot and killed after he and an officer had just arrested two subjects for illegally transporting liquor and fleeing from officers at 11:00 a.m. After a short pursuit, the officers finally stopped the vehicle on Fishing Ford Road, west of Shelbyville. Chief Sumner and another officer arrested the two subjects. They were driving away when the owner of the alcohol opened fire on the patrol car with a .30 caliber rifle, striking Chief Dillard in the back of the head. The suspect was apprehended at the scene and later charged with first-degree murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10- 20 years. Chief Dillard had served with the Shelbyville Police Department for over five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Dillard served with the Shelbyville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Shelbyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dillard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shelbyville Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Sumner is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Sumner is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sumner is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sumner was 52. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Sumner had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Sumner was 52. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Sumner had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sumner was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sumner had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Shelbyville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Shelbyville Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Sumner among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Shelbyville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
