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Thomas Clifford Dillon

Case from Bethel, AK dated Nov 19, 1972

Victim Details

Thomas Dillon

Male

White / Caucasian

Bethel

AK

1972-11-19

32

Thomas

Clifford Dillon

08/29/2026

Case Description

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Thomas Clifford Dillon, a 32-year-old White male, was serving as chief of the Bethel Police Department when he was shot and killed in the line of duty on November 19, 1972, in Bethel, Alaska. What began as a dispute involving a dead puppy and a local taxi company escalated into an armed confrontation that ended with Dillon exchanging gunfire with a young Bethel resident and suffering a fatal wound.

The man identified in court records as responsible for the shooting was Elmer J. Nicholson, ...
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Links to Additional Sources (5)

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  • Chief of Police Thomas Clifford Dillon
  • Reflections for Chief of Police Thomas Clifford Dillon, Bethel Police ...
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I have been following the case of Chief Thomas Clifford Dillon for a while, and something that just ... ...Read More
    02/23/2024
    I recently delved into the case of Chief Thomas Dillon, and I can't stop thinking about the impact t... ...Read More
    03/18/2023
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