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Jerry L. Darnell
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jerry Darnell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while making a traffic stop at 2:30 am. Deputy Darnell was writing the subject a citation for driving without a license when he attacked him, gained control of his service revolver, and shot him in the back. Later that day, the subject gave himself up to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff. On September 14, 1966, the 29-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Darnell was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sisters.
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. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Jerry 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 Darnell gave the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscaloosa 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
Jerry L. Darnell served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Jerry is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Jerry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jerry 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 1964, 1 officer at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1964, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1964, 76 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jerry was 26. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 47. Jerry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Jerry was 26. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Jerry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jerry 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. Jerry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jerry was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jerry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 40%. Sundays: 20%.
June holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Sundays: 15.6%.
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 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Jerry among them.
Military Service
Jerry L. Darnell served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jerry L. Darnell’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 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
