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Incident
Sheriff Clifford Peak succumbed to gunshot wounds, and his deputy was seriously wounded by a 64-year-old unemployed well driller while responding to a domestic disturbance. A member of the suspect's family had asked for a gun to be taken away from him because he had threatened ‘to kill the whole bunch.’ When Sheriff Peak and his deputy approached the suspect, who was walking across a pasture, and ordered him to drop his gun, he suddenly opened fire. Hours later, the suspect was captured in a woods near Double Springs. During the capture, he shot and wounded the Lamar County Sheriff. Sheriff Peak was transported to Wilson Hospital, where he died from his wounds. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder on October 19, 1951, and sentenced to life. On November 22, 1955, he received an additional 25 years for shooting the Lamar County Sheriff. He died in prison in 1962. Sheriff Peak was a United States Army World War II veteran and had served as sheriff of the Winston County Sheriff's Office for six months and eighteen days.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, six brothers, three sisters, two uncles, and one aunt.
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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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 Peak served with the Winston County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Double Springs 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
Clifford Peak served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Winston County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Clifford is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Clifford is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Clifford 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 1951, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1951, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clifford was 40. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Clifford had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Clifford was 40. 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. Clifford had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clifford was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clifford had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Winston County Sheriff's Office, 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 27,552 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
Winston County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Clifford among them.
Military Service
Clifford Peak served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Clifford Peak’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 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Winston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
