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Incident
Deputy Loftis was shot and killed while he and another deputy attempted to serve a warrant. They were attempting to locate the wanted man and went to a nearby home to ask where the man lived. When Deputy Loftis knocked on the door and announced himself the resident inside fired a 12 gauge shotgun through the door, striking Deputy Loftis. Deputy Loftis was taken to a nearby hospital where he died four days later. The suspect turned himself in the next day and was charged with murder. The suspect said he thought it was someone else at the door who had threatened him earlier. A jury found him not guilty of murder.
Survivors
Deputy Loftis had been with the agency for 2 years and was survived by his wife, four children, mother and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Loftis gave the Putnam County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cookeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Loftis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Putnam County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Milton is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Milton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Milton is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 7 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Milton was 30. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Milton had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Milton was 30. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Milton had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Milton was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Milton had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Putnam County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Putnam County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Milton among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Putnam County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
