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Incident
Police Chief Emmett Bright was shot and killed as he and another officer were attempting to arrest a man on drunk and disorderly charges.
As the officers were trying to wrestle the man into a patrol car, two men approached with a shotgun, demanding that the officers turn their friend loose, and then shot Chief Bright three times. Both men were apprehended a few hours later.
Both suspects were convicted of second degree murder on February 28, 1958. The suspect who shot Chief Bright was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His accomplice was sentenced to 13 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Chief Bright served with the New Hope Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Hope community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Chief Bright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Emmett is the only officer of New Hope Police Department remembered here.
Emmett is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Emmett is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Emmett 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 1957, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1957, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Emmett was 54. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Emmett was 54. 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.
Emmett was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 8.9% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at New Hope Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
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