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John Morgan Bilbrey
Incident
Deputy John Bilbrey was struck and killed by a vehicle while working at the Putnam County Jail. A tractor trailer drove into the jail, crushing Deputy Bilbrey. Deputy Bilbrey was a United States Army World War I and II veteran who had served with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department for ten years and previously served with the Cookeville Police. He was survived by his wife and three children. He was interred at the Salem Methodist Church Cemetery in Cookeville.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Bilbrey gave the Putnam County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cookeville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Morgan Bilbrey served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Putnam County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 2 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 57. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 57. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 57. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.5% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Putnam County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Putnam County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John Morgan Bilbrey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Morgan Bilbrey’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Putnam County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
