Incident
Deputy Sheriff Travis Gibson and Sheriff Sampson Queener were stabbed to death while attempting to arrest two men accused of passing a counterfeit bill in Jacksboro, Tennessee.
As Sheriff Queener told one of the men he was under arrest, the other man turned and shot the sheriff in the chest. Despite being wounded, Sheriff Queener jumped off his horse and knocked the man down. As he dismounted Sheriff Queener was shot in the abdomen. As Deputy Gibson attempted to subdue the other man, the shooter stabbed him in the neck. As Sheriff Queener attempted to come to the deputy's aid he was also fatally stabbed. When locals found the officers Sheriff Queener was still alive and was able to describe the incident; however, he died in the back of a wagon headed for Jacksboro. Deputy Sheriff Gibson was dead when the locals found them.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Gibson had served with the agency for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A9661511- 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
168 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Gibson gave the Campbell County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
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
Deputy Sheriff Travis Gibson 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 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. Travis Gibson's cause is highlighted.
How Travis Gibson Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Travis Gibson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Travis Gibson was killed by edged weapon.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Campbell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

