Incident
City Marshal Jesse Offut was shot and killed as he and the city's deputy marshal accompanied a 20-year-old prisoner to a local saloon.
They had arrested the man for drunkenness and agreed to let him go to the saloon to secure a bondsman. As they walked along the street the prisoner fell back a few steps before pulling out a gun and opening fire on the south side of the public square. Marshal Offut was struck three times in the back and fatally wounded.
The deputy marshal returned fire and wounded the suspect before taking him into custody.
City Marshal Offcut was survived by his wife. He was a Confederate Civil War Veteran who served as a private with the 18th Tennessee Infantry, Company K.
Survivors
City Marshal Offcut was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-99B25C04- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jesse. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
City Marshal Offut served with the Franklin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Franklin community. Thank you 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
Jesse Offut served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
City Marshal Jesse Offut is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Franklin Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesse Offut's cause is highlighted.
How Jesse Offut Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse Offut is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse Offut was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Franklin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.