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Incident
Sheriff Albert Catron was fatally shot as he and his deputies patrolled Lookout Mountain in the early morning hours. Sheriff Catron noticed a car parked on the side of the road with three men crouched around it. Suspecting that the men were involved in the transport of moonshine, the Sheriff approached to question them. The Sheriff and his deputies saw that the men were in possession of forty gallons of whiskey and attempted to place them under arrest. Two of the suspects fled with three deputies in pursuit, and the final suspect ordered the Sheriff and his remaining deputy not to approach. When the deputy drew his weapon and ordered the suspect to surrender, the suspect drew a revolver and fired, striking the deputy once and Sheriff Catron four times. He then fled the scene.
Sheriff Catron was rushed to a Chatanooga, TN hospital for treatment, but he succumbed to his wounds 16 hours later.
Posses scoured the area for the escaped suspect, who turned himself in several days later. The suspect initially claimed that he had been visiting a sick relative at the time of the killing, but he was convicted of murder and sentenced to be hanged. Shortly before his execution was scheduled to take place, he won a new trial by claiming that he had been unaware that Sheriff Catron was an officer of the law and that he had fired on the Sheriff and his deputy because he thought they were robbing him. He was again convicted of murder, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison.
Before serving as Sheriff of Walker County, Sheriff Catron had served as warden in a Walker County convict camp.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children, and he is buried in La Fayette, GA.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Catron served with the Walker County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lafayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Catron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walker County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Albert is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Albert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Albert 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 1921, 1 officer at Walker County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1921, 16 officers in GA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Albert was 43. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Walker County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 50; the middle age was 46.5.
Albert was 43. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Albert was 43. 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.
Albert was 43. 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 16.7% of these deaths at Walker County Sheriff's Office; February holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 66.7%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Walker County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.9% 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 handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Walker County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Albert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Walker County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
