Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper David Temple was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man who had just robbed a car lot in Decatur. Trooper Temple spotted a vehicle that had been reported in an armed robbery earlier in the day. He followed the vehicle for approximately two miles while waiting for back up to arrive. When Trooper Temple pulled up to the suspect on Highway 20, near Mooresville, the man leaned out of the car and opened fire, striking Trooper Temple. The man then got out of the car and walked to where Trooper Temple lay on the ground and shot him three more times. The suspect fled the scene and led police on a chase through Madison. He was shot and killed by Madison police officers after wounding another officer. Trooper Temple had previously served with the United States Army.
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BO-US-AL-CC91144B- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Temple served with the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
David E. Temple served in the Army (1966â1969) before joining law enforcement.
Trooper David E. Temple 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 Alabama Department of Public Safety, 7 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 24.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David E. Temple's cause is highlighted.
How David E. Temple Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David E. Temple is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David E. Temple was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from Alabama Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
