Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Alf Salter was shot and killed while attempting to serve warrants for traffic violations on a man. Officer Salter, with five other officers, went to the man's home on East 18th Street to serve the warrants. When Officer Salter knocked on the door, the man refused to open the door and opened fire, striking Officer Salter. Officer Salter was transported to the People's Hospital, where he passed away. The 30-year-old suspect was tried and acquitted in 1945. Officer Salter had served in law enforcement for at least 17 years, also serving with the Walker County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons, one daughter, one granddaughter, four brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-12CE5443- 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.
Police Officer Salter gave the Jasper Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Salter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Alfred Salter, Sr. 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 Jasper Police Dept., 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Alfred Salter, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Alfred Salter, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Alfred Salter, Sr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Alfred Salter, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Jasper Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
