Robert Gardner
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Robert Gardner

Felonious
End of Watch July 17, 1908
The Vigil Panel 22 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Gardner was shot and killed during a clash with a group of strikers who were picketing a coal mine. Deputy Gardner and 12 other deputies were escorting strike breakers across the picket lines when they were fired upon.

Deputy Gardner and 12 of the miners were shot and killed during the ensuing shootout.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-E84C623B
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gardner served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gardner.

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

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL
Platform Identity jcso.jefferson.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1908
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Deputy Sheriff Robert Gardner 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 Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 15 of 24 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
15
of 24 officers
62.5% Felonious
AL — Statewide
405
of 643 officers
63% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Gardner's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Robert Gardner Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Gardner is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Gardner was killed by gun; unknown type.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909