Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Stolz and Deputy Sheriff David Beck were shot and killed while searching a wooded area for two men who had fired a shotgun at another deputy who was pursuing them. Deputy Stoltz and Deputy Beck were the first deputies to arrive in the area near the Mississippi line in western Mobile County. The subjects opened fire on both deputies, killing Deputy Stoltz before he was able to draw his weapon. Deputy Beck was also fatally wounded in the exchange of shots. One of the subjects was found dead, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The other man was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. In 1989 and again in 1992, he received new trials and was sentenced to life each time. He was denied parole on March 20th, 2019, and died in prison in 2023. Deputy Stolz had served with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office for two years. He was a United States Navy veteran and was one of the first crewmen of the USS Kittyhawk.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-18DAB9DF- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Stolz gave the Mobile County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile 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
Robert David Stolz served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Robert David Stolz 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 Mobile County Sheriff's Dept., 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert David Stolz's cause is highlighted.
How Robert David Stolz Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert David Stolz is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert David Stolz was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Mobile County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
