Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman J. Hammett and Acting Chief of Police Albert DeLoach were shot and killed in a restaurant by the proprietor around 5:00 a.m. The man became angry and shot both officers when Chief DeLoach warned one of his customers to leave town, or she would go to jail. The suspect surrendered to the local sheriff shortly thereafter. The suspect was charged with two counts of murder. In his trial of the murder of Patrolman Hammett, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 9 years and 11months in prison.
Survivors
Patrolman Hammett was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-EE3904AD- 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.
Patrolman Hammett served with the Childersburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Childersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hammett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Ossten Hammett 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 Childersburg Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Ossten Hammett's cause is highlighted.
How John Ossten Hammett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Ossten Hammett is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Ossten Hammett was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Childersburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
