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Incident
Sergeant Chester Tullos, a traveling sergeant with the Mississippi State Penitentiary and former sheriff of Smith County, was shot and killed while he and a guard were transporting two inmates from Hattiesburg to the Mississippi State Penitentiary. While they were driving six miles north of Hattiesburg, one of the inmates grabbed a revolver that had been hidden inside of the vehicle. The prisoner shot Sergeant Tullos and then handcuffed the guard to a nearby tree. They threw Sergeant Tullos's body from the vehicle as they sped away. One inmate was quickly captured. The shooter, a 26-year-old convicted murderer, was shot and killed six weeks later in Hattiesburg by the Forrest County sheriff and two of his deputies. Sergeant Tullos had served with the Mississippi Department of Corrections for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Tullos gave the Mississippi Department of Corrections 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Mississippi. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Tullos.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi Department of Corrections has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Chester is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Chester is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chester 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 1933, 1 officer at Mississippi Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1933, 3 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Chester was 46. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Mississippi Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 52.8; the middle age was 44. Chester had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 4.1 years.
Chester was 46. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Chester had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Chester was 46. 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. Chester had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chester was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Chester had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 14.3% of these deaths at Mississippi Department of Corrections; September holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 42.9%.
May holds 10.3% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Thursdays: 12.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Mississippi Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi Department of Corrections has 9 officers remembered here, Chester among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Mississippi Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
