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Incident
Chief Joseph Henderson and Patrolman Mercer Denby were shot and killed by a drunken soldier Patrolman Denby had arrested. The suspect was able to gain control of Patrolman Denby's weapon and shot him. The suspect then fled into the streets and started to fire the gun randomly. Chief Henderson was shot when he rushed to the scene to assist Patrolman Denby. Patrolman Denby succumbed to his wounds 6 weeks later. The suspect was sentenced to death and executed in the electric chair at Reidsville State Prison on May 28, 1943. Chief Henderson had served with the agency for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Henderson gave the Tifton Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tifton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Henderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tifton Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1942, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 55. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 55. 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. Joseph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Tifton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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.
His people
Tifton Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tifton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
