Grover Cleveland Blanton
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Grover Blanton was shot and killed in Quicksand by two men in retaliation for an arrest that had occurred six months prior.
Deputy Blanton had been assigned to serve misdemeanor warrants on both men that resulted in one of them being jailed. On August 7th, 1915, Deputy Blanton had gone to the voting precinct at Quicksand and encountered the two men, not knowing that they held resentment against him. As they spoke one of the men suddenly pulled out a gun and shot him in the back. The second man then shot him in the abdomen.
Despite his wounds, Deputy Blanton fatally shot one man and wounded the other. Deputy Blanton was taken to Jackson by train where he died later in the day. The wounded man was convicted of Deputy Blanton's murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Blanton was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI. He was survived by his wife, parents, and three siblings. He was predeceased by one sibling.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-04E1EFF7- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Blanton served with the Breathitt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Grover Cleveland Blanton served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Grover Cleveland Blanton 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Breathitt County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Grover Cleveland Blanton's cause is highlighted.
How Grover Cleveland Blanton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Grover Cleveland Blanton is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Grover Cleveland Blanton was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Grover Cleveland Blanton served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Grover Cleveland Blanton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Breathitt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.




