Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Gilbert was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle parked along the road on Little Sand Mountain. The car was parked in a location used by the local power company's payroll truck and had caught the attention of power company workers. The workers notified Deputy Gilbert, who lived nearby, and asked him to investigate the vehicle.
Deputy Gilbert deputized a neighbor and went to investigate. They reached the car as a man came out of the woods carrying a large sack. When Deputy Gilbert asked the man to surrender the man put the sack in the vehicle and immediately opened fire with a .45 caliber pistol, striking Deputy Gilbert. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Gilbert was able to return fire with his shotgun and struck the suspect once in the side.
The 26-year-old suspect fled the scene in his vehicle but became too weak to drive after a short distance. He was picked up by two passerby and taken to his home, and then to a local hospital, where he was charged with Deputy Gilbert's murder. His first trial ended with a hung jury. His second trial which was to begin on March 20, 1929, was postponed. When the suspect left home that morning to go to court an unknown gunman shot him in the back of his leg from ambush. On April 3, 1929, the suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.
Deputy Gilbert had served with the agency for several terms.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B8056038- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gilbert served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gilbert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John A. Gilbert is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Polk County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John A. Gilbert's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Gilbert Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Gilbert is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Gilbert was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
