Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Elbert Abernathy was shot killed by a subject during a raid on a gambling den.
He was in the process of placing an offender in handcuffs when the man suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot him. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial and sentenced to life. He was released on December 23, 1923.
Deputy Abernathy was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Abernathy was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-4C94A04A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Abernathy served with the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gadsden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Abernathy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Elbert R. Abernathy 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Etowah County Sheriff's Department, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elbert R. Abernathy's cause is highlighted.
How Elbert R. Abernathy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elbert R. Abernathy is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elbert R. Abernathy was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Etowah County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
