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Incident
Deputy Keith Bellar succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he stopped to help at what he believed to be a car accident in Dickson.
A Dickson 911 dispatcher had just completed her shift when her estranged husband began following her. As the vehicles traveled on West Walnut Street the husband ran the wife off the road near McKenzie Street. Deputy Bellar witnessed the crash but was not aware it involved a domestic dispute.
When he stopped at the scene the husband immediately opened fire on him, striking him in the head before he was able to exit his patrol car. The man then committed suicide.
Deputy Bellar was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he succumbed to his wound the next day.
Deputy Bellar had served with the Dickson County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 6-month-old 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bellar gave the Dickson County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bellar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dickson County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 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 2011, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 27. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Richard was 27. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 27. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Dickson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 12.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Dickson County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Dickson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
