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Harold Michael Altman
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Mike Altman was shot and killed while responding to investigate suspicious activity at the home of the Jackson County sheriff.
The wife of the sheriff, who was also a civilian employee of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, was arriving home from the grocery store and talking on a radio phone with her husband when she noticed a man following her into her driveway. She notified the sheriff, who immediately alerted field units to respond to his home.
Deputy Altman was the first unit to arrive at the home. He found that the sheriff's wife had been shot and killed. The two killers, armed with three handguns, then opened fire on Deputy Altman, killing him.
The sheriff and two deputies arrived at the scene moments later and engaged the killers in a gun battle. Both assailants were shot and killed.
One of the killers was also a suspect in the 2001 murder of his own wife, a case that the Jackson County Sheriff's Office investigated. It is believed that the suspect targeted the sheriff and his wife because civil litigation involving the life insurance of the murdered wife was recently dismissed by a judge. Deputies found ammunition, latex gloves, bleach, vinegar, handcuffs, duct tape, and trash bags inside the killer's vehicle. In addition, both killers wore disguises which included wigs and glued-on mustaches.
Deputy Altman had served with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, stepdaughter, stepson, parents, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Harold is one person.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Altman gave the Jackson County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Marianna community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Altman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Harold Michael Altman served in the U.S. Army (1987â1987) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jackson County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Harold is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Harold is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Harold 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 2007, 1 officer at Jackson County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 2007, 10 officers in FL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2007, 84 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2007, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harold was 42. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Jackson County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 42; the middle age was 41. Harold had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Harold was 42. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Harold had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Harold was 42. 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. Harold had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 12.5% of these deaths at Jackson County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 37.5%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
January holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 88.9% of all 9 deaths at Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Jackson County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Harold among them.
Military Service
Harold Michael Altman served in the U.S. Army (1987–1987) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Harold Michael Altman’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 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
