Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Amos Moss was shot and killed as he, another deputy, and a federal prohibition agent, attempted to arrest four suspects near Gainesboro, in Jackson County who were operating a liquor still.
The suspects fled in a car that the officers stopped. As they approached the car they were fired upon. Deputy Moss was killed at the scene and the other deputy suffered serious wounds.
Three of the occupants was arrested at the scene and other was arrested the following day. All four were tried and acquitted.
Deputy Moss was the father of five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B353972F- 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 Moss served with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cookeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Moss.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Orville Amos Moss 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 Putnam County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Orville Amos Moss's cause is highlighted.
How Orville Amos Moss Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Orville Amos Moss is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Orville Amos Moss was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Putnam County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
