Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Sampson Queener and Deputy Travis Gibson were stabbed to death while attempting to arrest two men accused of passing a counterfeit bill.
As Sheriff Queener told one of the men he was under arrest, the other man turned and shot the sheriff. Despite being wounded, Sheriff Queener jumped off his horse and knocked the man down. Deputy Gibson attempted to subdue the other man but was stabbed in the neck. As Sheriff Queener attempted to come to the deputy's aid he was also fatally stabbed.
Both suspects fled the scene but were apprehended a month later in another state and extradited back to Campbell County to stand trial. Both were executed by hanging in 1859.
No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 3rd, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-99620972- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
168 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Queener 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
Sheriff Sampson D. Queener 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 Campbell County Sheriff's Office, 10 of 10 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. Sampson D. Queener's cause is highlighted.
How Sampson D. Queener Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sampson D. Queener is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sampson D. Queener was killed by edged weapon.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Campbell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
