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Incident
Deputy Jailer William Bishop was shot and killed while escorting two prisoners to a local dentist office. While the inmates were being examined by the dentist, one of them pulled out a small handgun he had concealed and forced the dentist to call the deputy into the room. Deputy Bishop was shot once in the back and as he was laying on the floor. Then he was then shot again in the head and killed. The killer was caught a short time later after a brief chase. He was convicted of the deputy's murder and sentenced to death in November 1998.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Bishop gave the Fayette County Sheriff's Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Somerville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bishop.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fayette County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1997, 1 officer at Fayette County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1997, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Fayette County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 56; the middle age was 46. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 42. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 42. 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. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Fayette County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 40%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Fridays: 14.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Fayette County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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
Fayette County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Fayette County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
