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Incident
Deputy Gibson was shot and killed as he and several other deputies attempted to arrest three men. The men had gone to a house of ill repute and set up an ambush for the deputies, who they knew were searching for them.
When Deputy Gibson entered one of the rooms the suspects opened fire, killing him and wounding a second deputy. The other deputies returned fire and fatally wounded one of the suspects. The other two suspects fled but both were later apprehended, including the suspect who shot Deputy Gibson. The two surviving suspects were sentenced to prison terms. One escaped shortly after being sentenced and was never recaptured.
Deputy Gibson had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and his parents.
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
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Gibson gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— 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.
George is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1890, 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 1890, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1890, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1890, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 25. 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. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
George was 25. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
George was 25. 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. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.3% of these deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 16 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, 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 handgun; .41 caliber, 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 handgun; .41 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, George 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 53-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.
