Roll of Honor

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Deputy Sheriff

Robert L. Kirby

Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department — Houston, MS

Felonious

End of Watch December 1, 1981

Age 25

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 125 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Robert Kirby was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for domestic assault involving the man's wife. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. On June 20, 1982, the suspect, 48, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Deputy Kirby had served with the Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MS-1B98CAD6
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 Kirby gave the Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kirby.

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

Agency

Department Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department

Location Houston, MS

Platform Identity ccso.chickasaw.ms.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 1, 1981

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .30 caliber

Offender Sentenced to life

Deputy Sheriff Robert L. Kirby 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

MS — Statewide

242

of 349 officers

69.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Robert L. Kirby Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Kirby is highlighted in Dec.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Kirby was killed by rifle; .30 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.