Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Alf Henry was dragged into a cell and beaten to death by two prisoners at the jail on Dixon Street in West Plains.
Jailer Henry had gone to the jail to feed the prisoners around 8:00 a.m. When he did not return home at the accustomed time, his wife became anxious and sent a neighbor in search of him. His body was found on the jail floor. The prisoners had escaped.
One of the prisoners was captured a short time later and was sentenced to three and a half years. The second prisoner, an escaped convict from the Tennessee Penitentiary, was apprehended four days later in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. He admitted that he caused the death of Jailer Henry. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 91 years in prison on February 8, 1900. He was released on July 3, 1917.
Jailer Henry also served as a deputy sheriff with the Howell County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-10A4BF40- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Jailer Henry served with the Howell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the West Plains community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Henry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer Alfred "Alf" Henry is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Howell County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alfred "Alf" Henry's cause is highlighted.
How Alfred "Alf" Henry Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1917
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alfred "Alf" Henry is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alfred "Alf" Henry was killed by person.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Howell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
