Prev
Incident
Deputy John Jones was shot and killed, and a Chattanooga detective was seriously wounded while attempting to arrest two men who had robbed a victim of his coat and hat.
One of the subjects opened fire on Deputy Jones with a shotgun, striking him once in the stomach. The detective managed to return fire, hitting one subject in the leg. He was captured at the scene, and the other suspect was captured an hour later.
Both suspects, 19 and 21, were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. One was denied parole on April 29, 1948. The other suspect was paroled on February 11, 1963.
Deputy Jones had served in law enforcement for 50 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq2tweks1tx0hh2yvfmj- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
50 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Jones gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 50 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Jones.
— 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 1933, 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 1933, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 73. 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 had served 50 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
John was 73. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. John had served 50 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 73. 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 had served 50 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 73. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 50 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.3% of these deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 33.3%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 16 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
William T. Cate
Sep 14, 1882
-
John J. Conway
Sep 14, 1882
-
George G. Gibson
Apr 2, 1890
-
Hugh Rievley
Jun 10, 1908
-
Oscar Leonard Nance
Sep 22, 1912
-
John Oliver Bachtel
Jan 18, 1923
-
John A. Snyder May 13, 1923
-
William B. Gober
Dec 22, 1923
-
John A. Griffith Oct 30, 1927
-
John Bell Jones Aug 13, 1933
-
John Asberry Gillespie
Nov 10, 1942
-
Jerry J. Hensley Mar 3, 1955
-
Charles E. Garfield
Jun 2, 1961
-
Lyle Armon Sneed
Dec 6, 1989
-
Donald Kenneth Bond
Sep 6, 2001
-
Landon Faulkner
Apr 10, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
