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Incident
Sheriff Sanford Haley was shot and killed by the Elberton City attorney in the Elbert County Courthouse. Sheriff Haley was complaining to the attorney about an earlier confrontation the two had over the handling of a prisoner. The shooting was naturally a shock to everyone but puzzling to all because the attorney and the sheriff were said to be the best of friends. On October 12, 1917, the attorney was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 14 years. He immediately appealed the conviction and was released in lieu of a $10,000 bond. When his appeal was rejected he went into hiding. He was captured in Akron, Ohio, in March of 1918, returned to Elbert County, and from there, taken to the state prison farm. He was paroled on January 14, 1927.
Survivors
Sheriff Haley was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Haley served with the Elbert County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Elberton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Haley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sanford is the only officer of Elbert County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Sanford is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Sanford is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sanford is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sanford was 45. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Sanford was 45. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Sanford was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Elbert County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Elbert County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.