Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Howard Thurman was shot and killed while he and three other deputies raided a still in the Sutton Hill district of the county.
The deputies surprised a group of four men at the still. One of the men opened fire and killed Deputy Thurman. Another deputy returned fire and fatally wounded the man.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service December 16th, 2021
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-320F825A- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Howard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thurman served with the Colbert County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscumbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thurman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Howard E. Thurman 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 Colbert County Sheriff's Office, 10 of 10 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. Howard E. Thurman's cause is highlighted.
How Howard E. Thurman Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Howard E. Thurman is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Howard E. Thurman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Colbert County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
