Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Frank Burkett was hit on the head and mortally wounded by two men making their escape from the Walker County Jail. The prisoners put a lock into a sock and struck him as he opened the cell door. He died the next day. Both suspects were recaptured and charged with Jailer Burkett's murder two days later. One suspect, 24, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The other suspect, 21, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He escaped four times while in custody and received a three-year federal term for fleeing to avoid confinement and was sent to the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta. He was released in 1956. Jailer Burkett had served in law enforcement for 40 years, serving as a deputy sheriff with the Walker County Sheriff's Office, Chief of Police for the Townley Police Department, and Parrish Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-7621B44B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
40 years. You could have gone home.
Jailer Burkett gave the Walker County Sheriff's Office 40 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Burkett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer D. Frank Burkett is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 9.1 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Walker 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. D. Frank Burkett's cause is highlighted.
How D. Frank Burkett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. D. Frank Burkett is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. D. Frank Burkett was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Walker County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
