Forrester Messer
Forrester "Forist" Messer
1923
Forrester Messer.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Deputy Sheriff Forist Messer and Jailer Charles West were shot and killed as they and another deputy attempted to serve a warrant on a man who had escaped from jail the previous week.
As they approached the man's home, they were fired upon from ambush. Jailer West and Deputy Messer were both killed, and the second deputy was wounded.
Six men were apprehended and charged with murder. One was convicted of murdering Jailer West and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Another was killed in a gunfight with another man four months later near Pineville.
Deputy Messer was a United States Army WWI veteran.
As they approached the man's home, they were fired upon from ambush. Jailer West and Deputy Messer were both killed, and the second deputy was wounded.
Six men were apprehended and charged with murder. One was convicted of murdering Jailer West and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Another was killed in a gunfight with another man four months later near Pineville.
Deputy Messer was a United States Army WWI veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
Keepsakes
Service Record
Also Served
Knox County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Sheriff
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq367q8h9jf9vs2ez0yx
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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