Elbert R. Abernathy

Etowah County Sheriff's Dept. — Gadsden, AL

Felonious

End of Watch August 18, 1906

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 21 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Elbert Abernathy was shot killed by a subject during a raid on a gambling den.

He was in the process of placing an offender in handcuffs when the man suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot him. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial and sentenced to life. He was released on December 23, 1923.

Deputy Abernathy was survived by his wife and three children.

Survivors

Deputy Abernathy was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-4C94A04A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Abernathy 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, Deputy Sheriff Abernathy.

— 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 August 18, 1906

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Released in 1923

Deputy Sheriff Elbert R. Abernathy 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