Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
End of Watch Wednesday, December 11, 1991
Add to My HeroesAllen Richard Lipford
Deputy Sheriff Lipford was shot and killed by a felon as he escaped from the county jail after overpowering two other deputies and taking one's service revolver.
The inmate had initially overpowered a jail officer at about 3:15 am and was fleeing the facility when he encountered another deputy in the parking lot. A struggle ensued and the subject was able to disarm the deputy. Deputy Lipford was exiting his patrol car to assist the other deputy when the man opened fire and shot him in the head, killing him. He then stole Deputy Lipford's patrol car and fled.
Deputy Lipford was transported to a hospital in nearby Boone, North Carolina, where he later died.
The 24-year-old suspect was found the next day hiding under a pile of leaves in Shady Valley. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1993 he had 25 years added to his sentence for a conviction of crimes ranging from theft to armed robbery. He has a parole hearing in November 2022.
Deputy Lipford is survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
On July 6th, 2021, the Deputy Sheriff Allen R. Lipford Memorial Bridge was named in his honor.
Bio
- Age 28
- Tour 8 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 20 Reflections30 years doesn't minimize the greatness of a hero.
30 years does not erase the memory of that tragic night.
30 years does not resolve the hurt and pain.
30 years does not restore what was forever lost.
30 years is more like yesterday for those who were there with you that night.
30 years, and a lifetime, will never change the void in the lives of those left only to cherish your memory.
30 years
Still Remembered!
Still Honored!
Still a hero!
Thank you to all who serve and protect, as well as maintaining law and order; only an absolute idiot would ever dismiss or even minimize the importance of that.
Tonya Proffitt
Former JCSD Reserve Sgt. also the daughter of Allen's partner
December 10, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Walter Jenkins
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022

Police Officer David Glen Evans
San Antonio Police Department, TX
EOW: February 25, 2022

Sheriff Robert P. Craft
Marion County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: February 16, 2022