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Incident
Sheriff R.D. Ellis was shot and killed in an ambush in front of the Scott County Jail at 7:45 pm.
He was walking a prisoner into the jail when he was shot in the back of the head by subjects who were hiding behind trees. After shooting Sheriff Ellis, the subjects fled down the river bank.
The prisoner did not try to escape when Sheriff Ellis was ambushed.
Several subjects were arrested, but there are no details about the results of the trial.
Sheriff Ellis had served as Sheriff of Scott County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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.
Sheriff Ellis gave the Scott County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Scott County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1925, 1 officer at Scott County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 10 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 43. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Scott County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53; the middle age was 43. Richard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Richard was 43. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Richard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Richard was 43. 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. Richard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 37.5% of these deaths at Scott County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Thursdays: 25%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at Scott County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Scott County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Scott County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
