Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sidney Biggs was shot and killed as he and the sheriff responded to a call of a man wielding a shotgun.
The suspect, a recently released inmate from the Jacksonville State Mental Hospital, had beaten his parents for refusing to feed his dogs. As Deputy Biggs attempted to place the man under arrest, he fired the weapon. Deputy Biggs was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.
The 34-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was released from prison on January 4, 1955, and died a few days later.
Deputy Biggs had served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq0bq8pgh9d6851fz9dz- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Sidney. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Biggs gave the Shelby County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Shelbyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Biggs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sidney is the only officer of Shelby County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Sidney is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Sidney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sidney 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 1920, 16 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sidney was 36. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Sidney had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sidney was 36. 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. Sidney had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sidney was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sidney had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Shelby County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.2% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Shelby County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.