Sam Dewitt Linn

Jefferson County Constable's Office — Birmingham, AL

Felonious

End of Watch April 21, 1951

Age 61

The Vigil Panel 87 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Constable Sam Linn and Chief of Police Santford Howton were shot and killed after they responded to investigate reports of drinking and illegal gambling in the Alden Village mining camp. The officers had arrested nine men for gambling and released them on a written promise to appear in court. As they walked back toward their car to leave one of the men they had charged opened fire on them, striking both officers in the backs of their heads. The suspect was convicted of both murders and executed on May 2, 1952.

Survivors

Constable Linn was survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-B474CA52
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.
Constable Linn served with the Jefferson County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Birgmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Linn.

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

Agency

Department Jefferson County Constable's Office

Location Birmingham, AL

Platform Identity jcco.jefferson.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 21, 1951

Age 61

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Executed in 1952

Constable Sam Dewitt Linn 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 Jefferson County Constable's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Jefferson County Constable's Office

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious