Bentley MacFarland Burnett
Agency patch
City Marshal

Bentley MacFarland Burnett

Haleyville Police Department — Haleyville, AL
Felonious
End of Watch September 5, 1908
Age 60
The Vigil Panel 22 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Marshal Bentley Burnett was shot and killed while escorting a prisoner jail. Another man approached him from behind and demanded that he release the prisoner

When Marshal Burnett refused, the man shot him in the head, killing him.

The 35-year-old suspect, who claimed self defense, was tried and acquitted. He died two years later.

Rest in peace always knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 5th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-D084BFA4
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bentley. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Burnett served with the Haleyville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Haleyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Burnett.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Haleyville, AL
Platform Identity hpd.winston.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 5, 1908
Age 60
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Acquitted

City Marshal Bentley MacFarland Burnett 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 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 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Haleyville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Haleyville Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
AL — Statewide
405
of 643 officers
63% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bentley MacFarland Burnett's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Bentley MacFarland Burnett Compares

Age at End of Watch
60
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bentley MacFarland Burnett is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bentley MacFarland Burnett was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Haleyville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.