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Incident
Deputy Gober was shot and killed while attempting to arrest several bootleggers in an old stable. Deputy Gober was shot twice during the arrest. Deputy Gober was taken to a hospital where he died a short time later. The suspect was arrested a month later in Columbus, Ohio.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial when it was discovered that some of the jurors during his trial had acted inappropriately. His second trial in 1925 resulted in a manslaughter conviction, and he was sentenced to three years. His conviction and sentence were based on testimony from a witness who said he saw another deputy accidentally shoot Deputy Gober. Hamilton County citizens were livid over the conviction, especially days later when the witness admitted that his testimony was false. The witness was convicted of perjury and sentenced to 1.5 years plus another 1.5 years for manslaughter resulting from a motor vehicle accident in which he was at fault, and a man was killed.
Regarding Deputy Gober's killer; the 5th amendment states once a subject is convicted of a crime he cannot be tried for the same crime twice.
Deputy Gober was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Gober was survived by his wife.
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 Gober 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, Deputy Sheriff Gober.
— 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.
William is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 3 officers at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 37. 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.
William was 37. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
William was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 8.3% of these deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 8.3%.
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Saturdays: 17.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 16 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, William 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
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.
