In the late summer of 1903, a 25-year-old Deputy Sheriff named Edward N. Griffitts tragically lost his life in the line of duty in Unitia, Tennessee. On September 26th, he and a fellow deputy ventured to a local barn with a warrant for the arrest of a man on charges of lewdness. Upon their arrival, they discovered the suspect on the second level of the barn in the company of a woman.
When Deputy Griffitts informed the man that he was under arrest, the situation escalated dramatically. The suspect, a 50-year-old man, drew a large caliber handgun and opened fire on the two deputies. A bullet struck Deputy Griffitts in the chest, killing him almost instantly. The second deputy was also seriously wounded, being shot in the hip. In the ensuing chaos, the suspect managed to flee the scene.
A posse, led by the Sheriff of Loudon County, was quickly formed to track down the fugitive. Their efforts were successful, and the suspect was captured. He was subsequently tried and convicted of second-degree murder, receiving a sentence of 20 years in prison. However, in a turn of events, Governor Malcolm R. Patterson pardoned him on February 22nd, 1910. Deputy Griffitts was survived by his father, brother, and fiancée.
