Edward N. Griffitts

Loudon County Sheriff's Office — Lenoir City, TN

Felonious

End of Watch September 26, 1903

Age 25

The Vigil Panel 18 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Griffitts was shot and killed when he and another deputy went to arrest a man on a warrant for lewdness.

The two deputies went to a barn in Unitia, Tennessee, to arrest the suspect. When they arrived, they found the suspect and a woman on the second level of the barn. When Deputy Griffitts told the suspect he was under arrest, the suspect drew a large caliber handgun and opened fire. He struck Deputy Griffitts in the chest, killing him. A second shot struck the other deputy in the hip, seriously wounding him.

The 50-year-old suspect fled but was captured by a posse led by the Sheriff of Loudon County. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. He was pardoned on February 22nd, 1910, by Governor Malcolm R. Patterson.

Deputy Griffitts was survived by his father, brother, and fiancée.

Survivors

Deputy Griffitts was survived by his father, brother, and fiancée.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TN-C54E417A
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 Edward. 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 Griffitts served with the Loudon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Griffitts.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Loudon County Sheriff's Office

Type Sheriff's Office

Location Lenoir City, Loudon County, TN

Platform Identity lcso.loudon.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 26, 1903

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Deputy Sheriff Edward N. Griffitts is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Loudon County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Loudon County Sheriff's Office

of 6 officers

50% Felonious

TN — Statewide

498

of 769 officers

64.8% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious