Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Mercer Denby and Chief Joseph Henderson were shot and killed by a drunken soldier Patrolman Denby had arrested. The suspect was able to gain control of Patrolman Denby's weapon and shot him. The suspect then fled into the streets and started to fire the gun randomly. Chief Henderson was shot when he rushed to the scene to assist Patrolman Denby. Patrolman Denby succumbed to his wounds 6 weeks later. The suspect was sentenced to death and executed in the electric chair at Reidsville State Prison on May 28, 1943.
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BO-US-GA-8228BF28- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Denby served with the Tifton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tifton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Denby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Mercer Leroy Denby 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Tifton Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mercer Leroy Denby's cause is highlighted.
How Mercer Leroy Denby Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mercer Leroy Denby is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mercer Leroy Denby was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tifton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
