Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Hardy Coffey was shot and killed by his nephew, whom he suspected of breaking into several summer cabins.
Deputy Coffey had been patrolling Linville Village and returned to his home. As he was standing in the living room, a shotgun blast was fired through a window, fatally wounding him in front of his three young daughters. Deputy Coffey's nephew was apprehended and charged with his murder, which was likely an assassination to prevent the deputy from arresting him.
On July 9, 1936, the suspect became the first person to be convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Avery County. Governor Clyde R. Hoey commuted his sentence to life on August 4, 1938. He was paroled on January 12, 1948. He died of a heart attack in 1981.
Deputy Coffey had been employed with the Avery County Sheriff's Office for six years and was survived by his wife and three daughters.
Survivors
Deputy Coffey had been employed with the Avery County Sheriff's Office for six years and was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-07435C40- 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 Hardy. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Coffey gave the Avery County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coffey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Hardy Coffey 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Avery County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hardy Coffey's cause is highlighted.
How Hardy Coffey Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1948
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hardy Coffey is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hardy Coffey was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Avery County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
