Roll of Honor
Kenneth Levella Bettis
Incident
Correctional Officer Kenneth Bettis succumbed to stab wounds sustained on September 1st, 2016, when he was attacked by an inmate at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama.
The inmate attacked and stabbed Officer Bettis in retaliation for being denied an extra food tray during the prison's lunch service.
Officer Bettis was flown to the University of South Alabama Hospital where he remained until succumbing to the stab wounds.
The inmate, 46, who had been serving a 20 year sentence for robbery since 2013, was charged with murder of Officer Bettis' death.
Officer Bettis was a combat veteran of the Alabama Army National Guard.
Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 16th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-65A6F71F- 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.
Correctional Officer Bettis gave the Alabama Department of Corrections 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama, 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
Kenneth Levella Bettis served in the Army (2004â2005) before joining law enforcement.
Correctional Officer Kenneth Levella Bettis 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 Alabama Department of Corrections, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kenneth Levella Bettis's cause is highlighted.
How Kenneth Levella Bettis Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth Levella Bettis is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kenneth Levella Bettis was killed by edged weapon; shank.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Alabama Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
