Milton Otis Loftis
b. 9 June 1905, Jackson Co., TN
d. 29 September 1934, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN
(DC states date of death: 23 September 1934)
Wife: Essie Avo Jernigan md 26 August 1925, Putnam Co., TN
Father: Ray Kirk Loftis (1881-1920)
Mother: Clara Jeanette Birdwell (1890-1965)
Buried: Smellage Cemetery, Boma, Putnam Co.,TN
See Chapter 12
and Milton Otis Loftis family sheet
and Sheriff's Department Service Honors Fallen Deputies
Such is the Kingdom of Heaven
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 (Homer Roberts) said he thought it was someone else at
the door who had threatened him earlier. A jury found him not guilty of murder.
Deputy Loftis had been with the agency for 2 years and was survived by his wife,
four children, mother and six siblings.