Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Kirby was shot and killed as he and another deputy destroyed distilling equipment after raiding a still. The two deputies were ambushed and fired upon and Deputy Kirby was killed.
The suspects were arrested and sentenced to 10 years at hard labor.
Deputy Kirby had served with the agency for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-4F5F2250- 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 White County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sparta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kirby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Harkless Grundy 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At White County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. Harkless Grundy Kirby's cause is highlighted.
How Harkless Grundy Kirby Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harkless Grundy Kirby is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from White County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
