Chief Town was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance in which a man came home drunk and began to assault his wife and daughter. When his wife fled the man ran to his barn with a .22 caliber rifle. When Chief Town arrived he parked next to the back door to the home and began to approach the house. The suspect then ambushed him from the barn and shot him once in the heart, killing him. The suspect was later apprehended by one of his neighbors and several deputies.

Chief Town had been with the agency for at least 11 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and stepdaughter.