John S. Harrington
Agency patch
Sheriff

John S. Harrington

Monroe County Sheriff's Office — Monroeville, AL
Felonious
End of Watch June 30, 1902
Age 52
The Vigil Panel 17 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sheriff John Harrington was shot and killed as he intervened in a civil dispute between a man and a woman over the building of a fence on a disputed property line. When the woman's grandson attempted to dig a post hole, the man suddenly produced a pistol and opened fire, killing Sheriff Harrington and the woman. The subject was apprehended.

The suspect was tried and acquitted of Sheriff Harrington's murder on October 21, 1902. He was to be tried for the woman's murder at a later date.

Please know that no passage of time will ever erase your memory, service and more importantly your sacrifice and you will always be remembered. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) June 30th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-EEB0932F
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.
Sheriff Harrington served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Monroeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Harrington.

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

Agency

Location Monroeville, AL
Platform Identity mcso.monroe.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 30, 1902
Age 52
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; Pistol
Offender Acquitted

Sheriff John S. Harrington 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 Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
AL — Statewide
405
of 643 officers
63% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John S. Harrington's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How John S. Harrington Compares

Age at End of Watch
52
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John S. Harrington is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John S. Harrington was killed by handgun; pistol.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.