Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Claypool was shot and killed with his own weapon during a struggle with a suspect. He had responded to a report of a suspicious person and became engaged in a struggle when he made contact with the suspect. During the struggle the suspect gained control of Chief Claypool's handgun and shot him. The man was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. He appealed on insanity and his conviction was overturned in 1990. He was removed from death row and committed in a state mental hospital when it was discovered that the state psychologist who deemed him fit for trial was a high school dropout practicing medicine with fake credentials. Chief Claypool had served with Hurtsboro Police Department agency for seven years.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AL-0B2B0E2C- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Claypool gave the Hurtsboro Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hurtsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Claypool.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police George L. Claypool 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 Hurtsboro 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George L. Claypool's cause is highlighted.
How George L. Claypool Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George L. Claypool is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George L. Claypool was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hurtsboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
