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Incident
Chief of Police Thomas Dillon was shot and killed after responding to a holdup at a local cab company in downtown Bethel. When he arrived on the scene, he exchanged shots with the suspect, who was armed with a shotgun. Chief Dillon was struck in the chest and fatally wounded. He was able to wound the suspect, who was later apprehended by other officers. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. On November 4th, 1977, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution had withheld evidence from the defense and overturned the conviction. In the second trial, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. He was paroled on January 12th, 1978. Chief Dillon had served with the Bethel Police Department for 2-1/2 years.
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 Dillon gave the Bethel Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bethel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dillon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thomas is the only officer of Bethel Police Department remembered here.
Thomas is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1972, 1 officer in AK was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 32. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5. Thomas had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 32. 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. Thomas had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in AK; January holds the most, 17.1%. Sundays: 11.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bethel Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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