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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Edwards was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant at a home in Deatsville.
When Deputy Edwards arrived at the home the wanted man stated he would shot him if he entered. As Deputy Edwards attempted to force the door open the man shot him twice with a .38 caliber pistol. The subject fled the area but was arrested the following day in Prattville. He was convicted of Deputy Edwards' murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Edwards was a Confederate Army veteran of the Civil War. He was survived by his wife. One of Deputy Edwards' grandsons was accompanying him when he was murdered.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. One record, 2 gates. John 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.
Deputy Sheriff Edwards served with the Elmore County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wetumpka community. Thank you 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
John Perry Edwards served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elmore County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1912, 5 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 67. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
John was 67. 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.
John was 67. 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 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Elmore County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% 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 handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Elmore County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John Perry Edwards served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Perry Edwards’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
3 officers from Elmore County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
