Roll of Honor
John Hutson Cooper
Incident
Location: Tennessee Weapon: Rifle Offender: Escaped
Deputy Collector John Cooper was shot and killed from ambush while raiding a still in Blount County, Tennessee.
During the nighttime raid someone opened fire from a concealed position behind several bushes. Deputy Collector was struck in the arm and abdomen.
Three subjects were arrested and charged in connection with Deputy Cooper's murder. One of them was convicted in federal court for obstructing a revenue officer by causing his death, and sentenced to 22 years in prison. Two others were acquitted of murder in state court because it could not be determined who fired the fatal shot. Both were then tried in federal court on the obstruction charge. One of the two was sentenced to 7-1/2 years, while the other escaped. The escapee was captured in Texas, but escaped a second time while being returned to Tennessee. It is not known if he was ever recaptured.
Deputy Collector Cooper was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and father.
Survivors
Deputy Collector Cooper was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and father.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-FED-FC09F2BD- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
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Deputy Collector Cooper served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Collector John Hutson Cooper 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue, 25 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Hutson Cooper's cause is highlighted.
How John Hutson Cooper Compares
Offender Outcome
Escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Hutson Cooper is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Hutson Cooper was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
