Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John O'Bryen was shot and killed near Gasden as he walked out of a church after attending Sunday services.
Horrified members of the congregation said a man walked up to him, shot him three times, and then fired two more shots into his body after he fell to the ground. The suspect immediately surrendered to the sheriff. Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen had seized a gallon of bootleg liquor from the man during a raid at his home earlier that morning.
The 23-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentence to 15 years. In June of 1930 he was granted a new trial, convicted again of second degree murder, but sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled on May 24, 1939.
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BO-US-AL-F860DB10- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen served with the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gadsden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Wesley O'Bryen 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 Etowah County Sheriff's Department, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Wesley O'Bryen's cause is highlighted.
How John Wesley O'Bryen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wesley O'Bryen is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Wesley O'Bryen was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Etowah County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
