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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Elbert Abernathy was shot killed by a subject during a raid on a gambling den.
He was in the process of placing an offender in handcuffs when the man suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot him. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial and sentenced to life. He was released on December 23, 1923.
Deputy Abernathy was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Abernathy was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-63HA-MAQB-4earlier record number BO-US-AL-4C94A04A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Abernathy served with the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gadsden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Abernathy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Etowah County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Elbert is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Elbert is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Elbert is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1906, 1 officer at Etowah County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1906, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elbert was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Etowah County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 45; the middle age was 43.
Elbert was 39. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Elbert was 39. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Elbert was 39. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Etowah County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 20%.
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Etowah County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Etowah County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Elbert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Etowah County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
