Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Clifford Peak succumbed to gunshot wounds, and his deputy was seriously wounded by a 64-year-old unemployed well driller while responding to a domestic disturbance. A member of the suspect's family had asked for a gun to be taken away from him because he had threatened ‘to kill the whole bunch.’ When Sheriff Peak and his deputy approached the suspect, who was walking across a pasture, and ordered him to drop his gun, he suddenly opened fire. Hours later, the suspect was captured in a woods near Double Springs. During the capture, he shot and wounded the Lamar County Sheriff. Sheriff Peak was transported to Wilson Hospital, where he died from his wounds. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder on October 19, 1951, and sentenced to life. On November 22, 1955, he received an additional 25 years for shooting the Lamar County Sheriff. He died in prison in 1962. Sheriff Peak was a United States Army World War II veteran and had served as sheriff of the Winston County Sheriff's Office for six months and eighteen days.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, six brothers, three sisters, two uncles, and one aunt.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-082E27F2- 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 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.
Sheriff Peak served with the Winston County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Double Springs 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
Clifford Peak served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Clifford Peak 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 Winston County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifford Peak's cause is highlighted.
How Clifford Peak Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifford Peak is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifford Peak was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Winston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
