Roll of Honor
Santford Robert Harrison Howton
Incident
Chief Santford Howton and Constable Sam Linn were shot and killed after they responded to investigate reports of drinking and illegal gambling in the Alden Village mining camp. The officers had arrested nine men for gambling and released them on a written promise to appear in court. As they walked back toward their car to leave one of the men they had charged opened fire on them, striking both officers in the backs of their heads. The suspect was convicted of both murders and executed on May 2, 1952. Chief Howton was a WWI veteran. He had served with the Graysville Police Department for four years and had previously served with the Homewood Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife, a brother, and three sisters. Chief Howton was murdered the day after his 61st birthday.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, a brother, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-17B4E089- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Howton gave the Graysville Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Graysville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Santford Robert Harrison Howton served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Chief of Police Santford Robert Harrison Howton 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 97,759 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Santford Robert Harrison Howton's cause is highlighted.
How Santford Robert Harrison Howton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Santford Robert Harrison Howton is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Santford Robert Harrison Howton was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Santford Robert Harrison Howton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Santford Robert Harrison Howton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Graysville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.