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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ronnal Stanley was shot and killed during a foot pursuit through a wooded area near Butler, Tennessee. A hit-and-run accident occurred at 7:30 p.m. on Highway 67 in Butler. Deputy Stanley and other officers arrived on the scene. When they attempted to arrest one of the men for possible drunk driving, a scuffle broke out, and one subject ran into the woods. Deputy Stanley had caught up to the subject, but during the ensuing struggle, the man was able to obtain control of his service weapon and shot him. The 18-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. He was paroled in 2004. Deputy Stanley had served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department for 9 months. He was usually a Reserve Officer but was filling in for a deputy who was training.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, father, mother, two brothers, and three sisters.
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.
Auxiliary Deputy Stanley served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mountain City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Deputy Stanley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ronnal is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Ronnal is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronnal is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronnal was 24. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Ronnal had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ronnal was 24. 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. Ronnal had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronnal was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronnal had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.4% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ronnal among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
