Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Hugh Craft was assassinated because of his previous work as a federal prohibition agent. Deputy Craft was driving from his farm in Gurley, Alabama, to Huntsville when he was ambushed and shot in the face with a shotgun. The two suspects then shot him in the head with a pistol before fleeing. Weeks later one suspect was apprehended and charged with murder but released later due to a lack of evidence. Deputy Craft had recently retired as a federal prohibition agent before being appointed a deputy sheriff in Madison County. He had previously served as the chief of police of the Gurley Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-AB2AACD9- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Craft served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Craft.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Hugh Craft 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 Madison County Sheriff's Department, 6 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hugh Craft's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh Craft Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh Craft is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh Craft was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
