Roll of Honor
Benjamin Lawrence "Lon" O'Bryant
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Lon O'Bryant was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunshots near his home in Piedmont.
Moments after he heard the shots he encountered a buggy on the roadway near his home. He ordered the buggy to stop and for the occupants to put their hands up. The occupants, who had not heard the gunshots and were not familiar with Special Deputy O'Bryant, believed they were being robbed and one of them opened fire. Special Deputy O'Bryant was struck by the shot and fatally wounded.
The subject who shot him was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to once year in prison.
Special Deputy O'Bryant was survived by his wife, daughter, and sister.
Survivors
Special Deputy O'Bryant was survived by his wife, daughter, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-A26BB1CB- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff O'Bryant served with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Anniston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff O'Bryant.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Lawrence "Lon" O'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 Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin Lawrence "Lon" O'Bryant's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin Lawrence "Lon" O'Bryant Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin Lawrence "Lon" O'Bryant is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin Lawrence "Lon" O'Bryant was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Calhoun County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
