Chief of Police Thomas Clifford Dillon

Thomas Clifford Dillon

Chief Thomas Dillon was shot and killed after responding to a holdup at a local cab company.

When he arrived on the scene, he exchanged shots with the suspect, who was armed with a shotgun. Chief Dillon was struck in the chest and fatally wounded. He was able to wound the suspect, who was later apprehended by other officers.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. On November 4, 1977, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution had withheld evidence from the defense and overturned the conviction. In the second trial he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. He was paroled January 12, 1978.