Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Beldon Little and Deputy Sheriff George Scott, of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed as they attempted to arrest two brothers, ages 18 and 20, who were wanted for moonshining. As they entered their home with their sheriff the suspects opened fire. The sheriff who was wounded managed to return fire wounding both suspects.
In 1920 both suspects were convicted of murder. One was sentenced to 50 years and the other to 15 years. The Alabama Supreme Court granted both new trials. The defense in both trials argued that Chief Little and Deputy Scott were accidentally killed by the sheriff. On February 24, 1921, one was acquitted and the other was found guilty of second degree manslaughter. He served less than two years in prison. He was also fined one dollar for violating the prohibition law.
Chief Beldon was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Chief Beldon was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AL-245D46B5- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Little served with the Fort Payne Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Payne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Little.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Beldon Napoleon Little 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Beldon Napoleon Little's cause is highlighted.
How Beldon Napoleon Little Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Beldon Napoleon Little is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Beldon Napoleon Little was killed by shotgun.