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Incident
Jailer Frank Burkett was hit on the head and mortally wounded by two men making their escape from the Walker County Jail. The prisoners put a lock into a sock and struck him as he opened the cell door. He died the next day. Both suspects were recaptured and charged with Jailer Burkett's murder two days later. One suspect, 24, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The other suspect, 21, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He escaped four times while in custody and received a three-year federal term for fleeing to avoid confinement and was sent to the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta. He was released in 1956. Jailer Burkett had served in law enforcement for 40 years, serving as a deputy sheriff with the Walker County Sheriff's Office, Chief of Police for the Townley Police Department, and Parrish Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
40 years. You could have gone home.
Jailer Burkett gave the Walker County Sheriff's Office 40 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Burkett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walker County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
D. is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
D. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
D. 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 1948, 1 officer at Walker County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1952, with 2.
In 1948, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
D. was 73. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Walker County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 55; the middle age was 48. D. had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
D. was 73. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. D. had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
D. was 73. 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. D. had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
D. was 73. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. D. had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Walker County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 40%.
June holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Walker County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 0.7% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Walker County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, D. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Walker County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
