Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Sanford Haley was shot and killed by the Elberton City attorney in the Elbert County Courthouse. Sheriff Haley was complaining to the attorney about an earlier confrontation the two had over the handling of a prisoner. The shooting was naturally a shock to everyone but puzzling to all because the attorney and the sheriff were said to be the best of friends. On October 12, 1917, the attorney was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 14 years. He immediately appealed the conviction and was released in lieu of a $10,000 bond. When his appeal was rejected he went into hiding. He was captured in Akron, Ohio, in March of 1918, returned to Elbert County, and from there, taken to the state prison farm. He was paroled on January 14, 1927.
Survivors
Sheriff Haley was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-6CB2A868- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Haley served with the Elbert County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Elberton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Haley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Sanford Newton Haley is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sanford Newton Haley's cause is highlighted.
How Sanford Newton Haley Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1927
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sanford Newton Haley is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sanford Newton Haley was killed by handgun.