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Incident
Jailer John Gillespie died after being assaulted by four federal prisoners during an escape attempt from the county jail in the 600 block of Walnut Street.
He and several trustees were taking a mattress into the cell when the inmates attacked him with iron piping that had been ripped out of the newly installed plumbing system. One of the trustees was also seriously injured as they attempted to stop the assault on Jailer Gillespie and keep the prisoners from escaping. Responding officers from the Chattanooga Police Department prevented the prisoners from making their escape. Jailer Gillespie died of a fractured skull the next day.
The four federal prisoners, 17, 19, 20, and 23, were charged with Jailer Gillespie's murder, convicted, and sentenced to life. The youngest was paroled in 1954. On December 16, 1960, he was sentenced to 15 years for his part with three others in the armed robbery of a man and his wife in their grocery store in Chattanooga. Both victims were shot in their legs with buckshot from a sawed-off shotgun. The 20-year-old was paroled on April 29, 1959. Two months later, he stole a car in Indiana, was apprehended, and sentenced to five years in Federal prison. Weeks later, he was transferred back to the Tennessee Penitentiary to finish his life sentence for violating his parole. He died in prison on February 16, 1964. The 23-year-old had a parole hearing on November 24, 1957. The result is unknown.
Jailer Gillespie was survived by his two brothers and sister.
Survivors
Jailer Gillespie was survived by his two brothers and sister.
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.
Jailer Gillespie served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Gillespie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1942, 1 officer at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1942, 10 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 65. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 50; the middle age was 39.
John was 65. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
John was 65. 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.
John was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 8.3% of these deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 8.3%.
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 16 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; iron pipe, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; iron pipe, in 0.2% 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 blunt object; iron pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; iron pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
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William T. Cate
Sep 14, 1882
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John J. Conway
Sep 14, 1882
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George G. Gibson
Apr 2, 1890
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Hugh Rievley
Jun 10, 1908
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Oscar Leonard Nance
Sep 22, 1912
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John Oliver Bachtel
Jan 18, 1923
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John A. Snyder May 13, 1923
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William B. Gober
Dec 22, 1923
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John A. Griffith Oct 30, 1927
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John Bell Jones Aug 13, 1933
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John Asberry Gillespie
Nov 10, 1942
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Jerry J. Hensley Mar 3, 1955
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Charles E. Garfield
Jun 2, 1961
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Lyle Armon Sneed
Dec 6, 1989
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Donald Kenneth Bond
Sep 6, 2001
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Landon Faulkner
Apr 10, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
