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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John West died two days after being shot by another deputy.
On March 5, Deputy West and another deputy went to a public movie showing in a school auditorium in Robbins, Tennessee. Also in the audience that evening was the town physician, Dr. Wylie E. Foust. During the movie, it was noted that the other deputy was visibly drunk.
The other deputy became enraged when some children in the movie audience laughed too loudly. He jumped up from his seat in the middle of the audience and shouted threats of arresting the children. At that point, his fellow deputy, Deputy West, and the physician got up from their seats and tried to calm the deputy down, but this only infuriated him further. The deputy then pulled both of his pistols from their holsters, brandished them in the crowded auditorium, and opened fire, killing the physician and mortally wounding Deputy West.
The suspect was subsequently convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. He was executed in the Tennessee electric chair on January 25, 1928.
Deputy West was survived by his wife and children.
Survivors
Deputy West was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff West served with the Scott County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff West.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Scott County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 1 officer at Scott County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 53. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Scott County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53; the middle age was 43.
John was 53. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
John was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 12.5% of these deaths at Scott County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 37.5%. Mondays: 12.5%.
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at Scott County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Scott County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Scott County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
