George Arnold Scott

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office — Fort Payne, AL

Felonious

End of Watch February 26, 1919

Age 25

The Vigil Panel 36 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Deputy Sheriff George Scott and Chief of Police Beldon Little, of the Fort Payne Police Department, were shot and killed as they attempted to arrest two brothers, ages 18 and 20, who were wanted for moonshining. As they entered their home with their sheriff the suspects opened fire. The sheriff who was wounded managed to return fire wounding both suspects.

In 1920 both suspects were convicted of murder. One was sentenced to 50 years and the other to 15 years. The Alabama Supreme Court granted both a new trial. The defense in both trials argued that Deputy Scott and Chief Little were accidentally killed by the sheriff. On February 24, 1921, one was acquitted the other was found guilty of second degree manslaughter. He served less than two years in prison. He was also fined one dollar for violating the prohibition law.

Deputy Scott was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.

Survivors

Deputy Scott was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-2D9EEEFA
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Scott served with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Payne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Scott.

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

Agency

Department DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Location Fort Payne, AL

Platform Identity dcso.dekalb.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 26, 1919

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Apprehended

Deputy Sheriff George Arnold Scott 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 DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

of 5 officers

40% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious