Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bird Daugherty was shot and killed, along with his two sons, while returning to his home from Clinton.
The previous day he had arrested a man for liquor violations. Because of the later hour he was unable to return home and stayed at the home of the sheriff, in Clinton, overnight. After taking a train to Petros where he began walking to his home in the New River area. Two of his sons met their father on the road and accompanied him. A short time later they were accosted by three men whom had been arrested for liquor violations in the past. Two men opened fire, killing Deputy Daugherty and both of his sons.
Both men were arrested and charged with three counts of murder. One, who had been charged with murder in 1913, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was released after serving less than 8 years in prison and died in 1957.
The other suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was pardoned by Governor Henry H. Horton sometime during his administration which was from 1927 to 1933. On March 24, 1940, he was shot and killed by two Anderson County deputy sheriffs outside of his new roadhouse near Lake City. He had warned the deputies not to come near him. As they drove by he opened fire on their patrol car. They returned fire striking him four times.
Deputy Daugherty was survived by his wife and three other children.
Survivors
Deputy Daugherty was survived by his wife and three other children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-AA06C4D0- 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 Daugherty served with the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Daugherty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bird Daugherty 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 Anderson County Sheriff's Department, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bird Daugherty's cause is highlighted.
How Bird Daugherty Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bird Daugherty is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bird Daugherty was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Anderson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
