Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Smith Wester was shot and killed while he and other deputies served a warrant on a man for stealing timber.
The man opened fire on the officers, fatally wounding Deputy Wester. One of the other deputies returned fire and killed the suspect.
Deputy Wester was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Wester was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-0B4FAFA3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wester served with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Payne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wester.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Smith Owen Wester is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 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 9.1 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Smith Owen Wester's cause is highlighted.
How Smith Owen Wester Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Smith Owen Wester is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Smith Owen Wester was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from DeKalb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
