Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Philip Fatch was shot and mortally wounded and another deputy was slightly wounded in a gunfight with a man they attempted to arrest on a warrant for assault and battery.
When approached, the suspect produced a pistol and opened fire, striking Deputy Fatch in the abdomen and the other deputy in his ankle. Both deputies returned fire striking the suspect three times. Deputy Fatch succumbed to his wound later that night.
Two nights later an angry mob seized the suspect from the Mobile County Jail and hanged him from a tree at the corner of Emmanuel and Church Streets.
Your name and the details of your tragic departure from this life still remain on the lips and in the minds and hearts of Mobilians who endeavor towards a better tomorrow. A hardy "salute" to you, and to all officers who serve.
Hon. ADM Roy D. Pope, Jr. Alabama State Navy (Naval Militia) January 29th, 2022
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-F2DB7701- 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 Fatch served with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Fatch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Philip Fatch 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 Mobile County Sheriff's Dept., 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Philip Fatch's cause is highlighted.
How Philip Fatch Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Philip Fatch is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Philip Fatch was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Mobile County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
