Grover Cleveland Blanton

Breathitt County Sheriff's Office — Jackson, KY

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch August 7, 1915

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 30 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Grover Blanton was shot and killed in Quicksand by two men in retaliation for an arrest that had occurred six months prior.

Deputy Blanton had been assigned to serve misdemeanor warrants on both men that resulted in one of them being jailed. On August 7th, 1915, Deputy Blanton had gone to the voting precinct at Quicksand and encountered the two men, not knowing that they held resentment against him. As they spoke one of the men suddenly pulled out a gun and shot him in the back. The second man then shot him in the abdomen.

Despite his wounds, Deputy Blanton fatally shot one man and wounded the other. Deputy Blanton was taken to Jackson by train where he died later in the day. The wounded man was convicted of Deputy Blanton's murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Deputy Blanton was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI. He was survived by his wife, parents, and three siblings. He was predeceased by one sibling.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, and three siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-04E1EFF7
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Grover. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Blanton served with the Breathitt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Breathitt County Sheriff's Office

Location Jackson, KY

Platform Identity bcso.mercer.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 7, 1915

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Military Service

Grover Cleveland Blanton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff Grover Cleveland Blanton 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Breathitt County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.

Breathitt County Sheriff's Office

of 10 officers

90% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious