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Incident
Patrolman Hudson was killed when his automobile skidded and crashed on a wet highway during a vehicle pursuit on Highway 78 around 2:00 p.m. Patrolman Hudson and his partner were patrolling when a truck zoomed past heading recklessly in the opposite direction. His partner turned the car around and sped after it, hoping to pull the driver over before it caused an accident. It was a narrow and winding road, slick with rain. The driver of the truck, seeing the flashing lights, sped up to evade them. Focused on the speeding truck, the officer never saw the deep, rain-filled pothole. The impact jarred the car, and he hit the brakes, which locked up on the slick pavement. The patrol car ran off the road and flipped several times. Patrolman Hudson was thrown from the vehicle and killed instantly. The other officer was injured but survived. The truck sped off in the rain. Patrolman Hudson had been appointed to the Alabama Department of Public Safety three months earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, three brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hudson served with the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hudson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Alabama Department of Public Safety has lost 29 officers; 21 of them lost to accidents.
Arvil is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
Arvil is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arvil is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 2 officers at Alabama Department of Public Safety were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1952, 4 officers in AL were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 1952, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1952, 65 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Arvil was 39. Of the 21 lost to accidents at Alabama Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 39; the middle age was 34. Arvil had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Arvil was 39. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5. Arvil had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Arvil was 39. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Arvil had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arvil was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Arvil had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.5% of these deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety; October holds the most, 19%. Sundays: 19%.
May holds 11.5% of these deaths in AL; July holds the most, 13.2%. Sundays: 18.7%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 72.4% of all 29 deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 19% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 3.8% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
Alabama Department of Public Safety has 29 officers remembered here, Arvil among them.
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William Maury Young
Sep 5, 1936
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William D. Raiford, Sr.
Oct 16, 1937
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Arvil O. Hudson
May 18, 1952
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Henry Preston Bryant
Dec 7, 1952
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Julian F. Draughon
Oct 3, 1953
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Howard Milford Brock Nov 8, 1957
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Joe F. Partin Jul 25, 1960
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Anthony Scozzaro
Dec 13, 1961
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Thomas Estes Maxwell Oct 4, 1962
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Raymond M. Carlton, Sr.
Feb 27, 1965
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Randolph G. Glover Jul 19, 1967
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Brooks D. Lawson Jul 31, 1969
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Thomas Odean Gillilan Jul 1, 1970
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Harlan B. Blake Oct 10, 1970
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Ormand Franklin Watkins Apr 11, 1971
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Riley Delano Smith
Dec 17, 1971
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James Buford Robinson
Dec 10, 1972
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Bobby S. Gann
Feb 21, 1974
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Kenyon M. Lassiter
Apr 19, 1974
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Julian Douglas Stuckey
Jun 27, 1974
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Johnnie Earl Booker
Nov 2, 1978
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David E. Temple
Sep 13, 1979
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Simmie L. Jeffries
Dec 21, 1984
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Larry D. Cawyer
May 25, 1985
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Elizabeth S. Cobb
Oct 11, 1987
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Robert William Jones
Nov 3, 1991
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Willis Von Moore
Feb 26, 1996
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Brian Keith Nichols
Feb 17, 2002
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Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II
Jun 16, 2008
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from Alabama Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
