Howard Edward Dutton

Baldwin County Sheriff's Office — Bay Minette, AL

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch October 2, 1987

Age 59

Badge B20

The Vigil Panel 132 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Deputy Dutton was shot and killed while responding to assist the Robertsdale Police Department on a suicide call. Deputy Dutton responded with several officers in the area behind a store off Chicago Street in Robertsdale. The suspect was sitting behind an abandoned building with a shotgun. While negotiating with officers, the suspect fired a single shot striking Deputy Dutton in the upper abdomen. Officers returned fire on the suspect striking him several times. Deputy Dutton was transported to South Baldwin Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Deputy Dutton had served with Baldwin County Sheriff's Office for four years and had previously served in the United States Army Reserve as a Master Sergeant.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-D9270C01
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 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.
Deputy Sheriff Dutton served with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bay Minette community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Baldwin County Sheriff's Office

Location Bay Minette, AL

Platform Identity bcso.baldwin.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 2, 1987

Age 59

Badge Number B20

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Deceased

Military Service

Howard Edward Dutton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff Howard Edward Dutton 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 Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Baldwin County Sheriff's Office

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious