Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Hugh DeShazo was shot and killed by a man while walking his beat. He had stopped at a local grocery store to use the phone when a man entered and shot him four times.
The 45-year-old suspect, who pleaded insanity, was convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. He was paroled on March 21, 1923.
Officer DeShazo had served with the agency for only 1 month.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-0615C7D3- 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.
Officer DeShazo served with the Dothan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dothan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer DeShazo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Hugh H. DeShazo 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 Dothan Police Dept., 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hugh H. DeShazo's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh H. DeShazo Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1923
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh H. DeShazo is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh H. DeShazo was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Dothan Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
