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Incident
Lieutenant Benton McLemore was shot and killed after responding to the suspect’s house to check on his welfare.
The suspect was known to be mentally ill. When Lieutenant McLemore knocked on the suspect’s door, the suspect shot and killed him with a shotgun. When back-up officers arrived the exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The suspect killed himself before he could be captured.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant McLemore served with the Athens Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant McLemore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Athens Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Benton is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Benton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benton is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benton was 56. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Benton was 56. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Benton was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 4.7% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Athens Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Athens Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Benton among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
