Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Stoots was shot and killed as he and the sheriff attempted to arrest an escaped prisoner at a 3,000-acre farm near Brownsville operated by a notorious bootlegger.
The bootlegger confronted the officers and opened fire with a shotgun, wounding the sheriff and killing Deputy Stoots. The man fled but was later arrested. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Deputy Stoots was survived by his wife and children.
Survivors
Deputy Stoots was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-D6D7D8B6- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Stoots served with the Haywood County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Brownsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stoots.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John H. Stoots 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 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 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Haywood County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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 H. Stoots's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Stoots Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Stoots is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Stoots was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Haywood County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
