Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Gassaway and five deputies were shot and killed after attempting to arrest a suspect. Sheriff Gassaway had served as Sheriff of the Colbert County Sheriff's Office for over two years. He was survived by his wife and three children. Sheriff Charles Gassaway and five Colbert County deputies were shot and killed when the sheriff attempted to arrest a suspect for obtaining goods under false pretenses. The suspect informed the sheriff that he would be ready to go in a moment but arrived at the door with a Winchester rifle. The suspect immediately shot Sheriff Gassaway, who was in the doorway, and the sheriff's brother, Deputy William Gassaway, who was standing a distance away. The suspect then barricaded himself in the house as other deputies arrived at the scene. Firing from inside the house, the suspect shot and mortally wounded Deputy Bob Wallace, Deputy Pat Prout, Deputy James Payne, and Deputy Jesse Davis. The suspect was eventually shot and killed after members of the the Alabama state militia, known as the Wheeler Rifles, shot over 1,000 rounds at the suspect. The suspect's body was then thrown into his burning house, that had been set on fire in an attempt to smoke him out.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-9D4C752D- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Gassaway gave the Colbert County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscumbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Gassaway.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Charles Gassaway 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 Colbert County Sheriff's Office, 10 of 10 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. Charles Gassaway's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Gassaway Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Gassaway is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Gassaway was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Colbert County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
