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Incident
Sheriff John Burnett was shot and killed in a gunfight on the Knoxville and Ohio passenger train.
The train had reached a point just east of Newcomb when the conductor alerted the sheriff and his deputy that four desperadoes were robbing passengers in an adjoining car. Gunfire erupted as he and his deputy intervened. When the smoke cleared Sheriff Burnett lay dead on the floor, his deputy was seriously wounded, one suspect was mortally wounded, and another was slightly wounded and captured. The other two suspects jumped from the train and escaped.
The captured suspect was placed in the Campbell County Jail in Jacksboro. That night a mob seized him fron the jailor and hanged him from an old-fashioned gate-beam a short distance east of the town limits.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Burnett served with the Campbell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Campbell County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 10 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 1893, 1 officer at Campbell County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1858, with 2.
In 1893, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1893, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1893, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
March holds 10% of these deaths at Campbell County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 40%.
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Campbell County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Campbell County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Campbell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
