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Incident
Officer Austin Hepburn was shot and killed by a man in a stolen vehicle in front of 516 NW Sixth Street. He observed two men and a juvenile attempting to change the license plate on the car. As he approached the group, one of the men grabbed him. A second suspect exited the car and shot him with both loads of a double-barreled shotgun. Two suspects, 16 and 18, were apprehended three hours later. The 25-year-old killer was apprehended the next day in Waycross, Georgia, by state troopers. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on September 28, 2001. Charges against the other two were dropped. Officer Hepburn was a Vietnam War veteran and served two years with the Hallandale Beach Police Department.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Hepburn gave the Hallandale Beach Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hallandale Beach community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Austin Hepburn Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1965â1969) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hallandale Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Austin is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Austin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Austin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 4 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Austin was 26. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Austin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Austin was 26. 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. Austin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Austin was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Austin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Hallandale Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Hallandale Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Austin among them.
Where
Military Service
Austin Hepburn Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1965–1969) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Austin Hepburn Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Hallandale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
