William Thomas McMinn

Madison County Sheriff's Dept. — Huntsville, AL

Felonious

End of Watch October 7, 1939

The Vigil Panel 76 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Deputy McMinn was fatally shot in the back while attempting to serve a warrant at a community dance. Two suspects were arrested in connection with his murder. One of the men was found guilty and the second was acquitted of the murder. Both men were later shot to death by angry citizens.

Survivors

Deputy McMinn was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-EA14B020
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.
Deputy Sheriff McMinn served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McMinn.

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

Agency

Department Madison County Sheriff's Dept.

Location Huntsville, AL

Platform Identity mcso.madison.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 7, 1939

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Killed by citizens

Deputy Sheriff William Thomas McMinn 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 Madison County Sheriff's Dept., 6 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Madison County Sheriff's Dept.

of 9 officers

66.7% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious