Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Bedford Brackeen was shot and killed by a suspect who approached him and his partner and began to argue with them. The two officers were sitting in their patrol car next to the old bus stop at Clinton Street and Washington Street when the man approached them. The man began to argue with Officer Brackeen's partner about a previous incident involving the man's sister. The suspect then pulled out a revolver and opened fire on the partner. Officer Brackeen exited the patrol car and exchanged shots with the suspect. Officer Brackeen was shot three times but still attempted to chase the suspect before collapsing. The suspect was arrested near Nashville, Tennessee, two days later. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death June 24, 1941. On November 25, 1943, his sentence was commuted to life. He was paroled on January 14, 1951. Officer Brackeen had served with the agency for 20 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-11C8B4B6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bedford. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Brackeen gave the Athens Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Brackeen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Bedford F. Brackeen is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Athens Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bedford F. Brackeen's cause is highlighted.
How Bedford F. Brackeen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bedford F. Brackeen is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bedford F. Brackeen was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
