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Incident
Sheriff "Red" Lott was shot and killed while responding to an alarm at Cedartown High School. Sheriff Lott had just finished eating dinner with his family when he stopped by the office to check-in. He was there when the alarm at the high school went off and decided to investigate it on his way home. Sheriff Lott and a trustee, Benjamin Franklin Clark, responded to the alarm. The second alarm sounded just as Sheriff Lott and Mr. Clark arrived on the scene. Sheriff Lott radioed back and learned that someone was apparently coming out of the building. Sheriff Lott drove around to the back of the school, where he noticed a man sitting inside a vehicle, the headlights on and the motor running. The sheriff stepped out of his patrol car, and as he approached the vehicle, he asked, "What are you doing?" The man then stepped out of the vehicle and fired a total of six shots. Sheriff Lott was shot three times in the chest, abdomen, and leg. He was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest. Mr. Clark managed to take Sheriff Lott's gun and fire at the suspect as he drove away. The fleeing suspect returned fire, and Mr. Clark was wounded twice in the leg and groin area. Sheriff Lott was transported to Polk County General Hospital, where he died 45 minutes later. A suspect was later tried for Sheriff Lott's murder in 1998 but acquitted. The case officially remains unsolved. Sheriff Lott was a United States Army veteran of World War II and had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Frank is one person.
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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.
Sheriff Lott gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cedartown 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
Frank E. Lott served in the the United States military (1944â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Polk County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank 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 1974, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 66. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 66. 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. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 66. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 19.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Military Service
Frank E. Lott served in the U.S. Army (1944–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frank E. Lott’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
