Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Deputy Bryant was shot and killed when a sudden burst of gunfire erupted at a labor disturbance outside the Samoset Cotton Mill in Talladega. More than a dozen other officers and workers were wounded. The Alabama National Guard had to be sent in to restore order and they arrested five suspects. One of the suspects was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison on November 14, 1936. He was released on bond as his appeals were heard. He began his sentence in 1938 and was pardoned a few weeks later by Governor Bibb Graves. Chief Deputy Bryant had served with the agency for 3.5 years.
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BO-US-AL-9DD35B70- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Deputy Bryant gave the Talladega County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Talladega community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Bryant.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Deputy John J. Bryant 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 Talladega County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Bryant's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Bryant Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1938
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Bryant is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Bryant was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Talladega County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
