Benton McLemore

Athens Police Department — Athens, AL

Felonious

End of Watch March 7, 1969

Age 56

The Vigil Panel 105 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Lieutenant Benton McLemore was shot and killed after responding to the suspect’s house to check on his welfare.

The suspect was known to be mentally ill. When Lieutenant McLemore knocked on the suspect’s door, the suspect shot and killed him with a shotgun. When back-up officers arrived the exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The suspect killed himself before he could be captured.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-924575CD
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 Benton. 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.
Lieutenant McLemore served with the Athens Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant McLemore.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Athens Police Department

Location Athens, AL

Platform Identity apd.limestone.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 7, 1969

Age 56

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Commited Suicide

Lieutenant Benton McLemore 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 Athens Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Athens Police Department

of 6 officers

66.7% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious