Roll of Honor
Jerry L. Darnell
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jerry Darnell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while making a traffic stop at 2:30 am. Deputy Darnell was writing the subject a citation for driving without a license when he attacked him, gained control of his service revolver, and shot him in the back. Later that day, the subject gave himself up to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff. On September 14, 1966, the 29-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Darnell was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-73BDB432- 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 Darnell gave the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscaloosa 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
Jerry L. Darnell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Jerry L. Darnell 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 Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jerry L. Darnell's cause is highlighted.
How Jerry L. Darnell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jerry L. Darnell is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jerry L. Darnell was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
