Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Marshal

William J. Hart

Falco Marshal's Office — Falco, AL

Felonious

End of Watch May 31, 1914

Age 30

Tour of Duty 1 yrs

The Vigil Panel 28 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Marshal William Hart was shot and killed as he and deputies from the Covington County Sheriff's Office attempted to arrest a subject for illegally selling whiskey.

The suspect had barricaded himself inside of his home and opened fire on the officers from inside, fatally wounding Marshal Hart and wounding a deputy.

The suspect was arrested, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. He was paroled on January 20, 1926.

Marshal Hart had served as the Falco marshal for one year.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-9793BFB5
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

You barely got started.
Marshal Hart gave the Falco Marshal's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Falco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Hart.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Falco Marshal's Office

Location Falco, AL

Platform Identity fmarshal.covington.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 31, 1914

Tour of Duty 1 yrs

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Paroled in 1926

Marshal William J. Hart 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%.

Falco Marshal's Office

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Hart's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How William J. Hart Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1926

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Hart is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Hart was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518