Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Chief Emmett Bright was shot and killed as he and another officer were attempting to arrest a man on drunk and disorderly charges.
As the officers were trying to wrestle the man into a patrol car, two men approached with a shotgun, demanding that the officers turn their friend loose, and then shot Chief Bright three times. Both men were apprehended a few hours later.
Both suspects were convicted of second degree murder on February 28, 1958. The suspect who shot Chief Bright was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His accomplice was sentenced to 13 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-4F3DC974- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Chief Bright served with the New Hope Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Hope community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Chief Bright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Chief Emmett C. Bright 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Emmett C. Bright's cause is highlighted.
How Emmett C. Bright Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Emmett C. Bright is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Emmett C. Bright was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from New Hope Police Department are honored on badge.nw.