Williamson County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 28, 1972
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 2 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 28, 1972
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 11 years
Deputy Sheriff John Heithcock was shot and killed while assisting the Fairview police chief following a vehicle pursuit.
The chief had attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding. The driver initially stopped but pointed a gun at the chief and ordered him back into his car before fleeing. The pursuit lasted approximately five miles until the man pulled into his own driveway in the Bon Aqua community on Route 100 at the county line with Hickman County. The man began shooting at the Fairview officers.
As Deputy Heitcock arrived at the scene the suspect opened fire from a ditch and shot him in the chest with a shotgun.
The subject was convicted of Deputy Heithcock's murder but was released from prison after 11 years.
Deputy Heithcock had served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office for only two months. He was survived by his wife and four children.