Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Otha Dent was shot and killed when a group of striking miners opened fire on a Birmingham Mineral Branch Railroad train that was transporting members of the Alabama National Guard, several sheriff's deputies, and 50 strikebreakers to a mine near Blocton.
A group of men opened fire with rifles and shotguns, firing hundreds of rounds into the train as it neared trestle No. 9. Deputy Dent, a conductor, and a strikebreaker were killed. Several other passengers on the train were wounded as they returned fire.
Over 30 people were arrested the following day.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AL-85DA30D2- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Dent served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dent.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Otha Zeiglar Dent 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 Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 15 of 24 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Otha Zeiglar Dent's cause is highlighted.
How Otha Zeiglar Dent Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Otha Zeiglar Dent is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Otha Zeiglar Dent was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
23 officers from Jefferson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
