Ernest William Birt

Etowah County Sheriff's Dept. — Gadsden, AL

Felonious

End of Watch February 14, 1911

Age 34

The Vigil Panel 25 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy Ernest Birt was shot in the back of the head and killed while on patrol. The suspect and Deputy Birt had a long-standing dispute.

Deputy Birt was making his rounds in the mining town of Crudup, AL around 10:00 a.m. on February 14, 1911. He was walking past the hotel and commissary when someone stepped out from the barber's shop and fired a shot from a pistol hitting Deputy Birt in the back of his head. Deputy Birt immediately fell to the ground and his assailant fled. Deputy Birt was taken to the office of local Dr. Camp who stated that the wounded deputy would not live. Sheriff Lister was notified about the shooting. Sheriff Lister and Deputy Farrar went to the scene to investigate. Dr. Camp pronounced Deputy Birt deceased at 1:10 p.m.

A twenty-three year old miner was arrested shortly after the shooting by Deputy Painter, who was also stationed in Crudup. Deputy Painter had been summoned shortly after the shooting and met the suspect, who confessed to the crime and surrendered. The suspect was a resident of a boardinghouse owned by my Mrs. Tucker, Deputy Birt's mother. The suspect and Deputy Birt had quarreled more than once about a half-sister of Deputy Birt's with whom the suspect had become involved. Deputy Birt had ordered the suspect to leave Crudup the morning of the shooting. The suspect refused to leave and waited on Deputy Birt to make his rounds when the shooting occurred.

Deputy Birt was buried at Bethany Cemetary near Reese Station the following day at 2:00 p.m.

The suspect stood trial for the murder in the Etowah County Ciruit Court. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 15 years. In June of 1912 the Alabama Supreme Court granted him a new trial.

Deputy Birt was survived by his wife and several children.

Survivors

Deputy Birt was survived by his wife and several children.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Birt 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, Special Deputy Sheriff Birt.

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

Agency

Department Etowah County Sheriff's Dept.

Location Gadsden, AL

Platform Identity ecso.etowah.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 14, 1911

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to 15 years

Special Deputy Sheriff Ernest William Birt 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 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 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Etowah County Sheriff's Dept., 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.

Etowah County Sheriff's Dept.

of 6 officers

83.3% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious