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Incident
Captain Chris McCurley was shot and killed while serving a drug search warrant at 11:00 am on Briar Cliff Road off Lister Ferry Road near the Coosa River. The couple wore body armor when they met the officers at the door. Captain McCurley was shot 18 times through the front door with an AK-47 equipped with a 100-round drum. After breaking down the door with gunfire, the male subject went outside to the yard and shot and wounded three more officers while the female helped him reload. The male suspect was shot and wounded before both suspects were taken into custody. The female suspect pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder and was sentenced to four concurrent 40-year prison terms. She was denied parole in 2018 and will be eligible for parole in 2023. The male suspect was sentenced to death in 1998. He committed suicide in 1999. Captain McCurley had served with the Etowah County Sheriff's Office for 12 years and had just been appointed chief of the Etowah County drug task force.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Captain McCurley gave the Etowah County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gadsden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain McCurley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Etowah County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Peter is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Peter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Peter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer at Etowah County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1997, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Peter was 48. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Etowah County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 45; the middle age was 43. Peter had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Peter was 48. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Peter had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Peter was 48. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Peter had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Peter was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Peter had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Etowah County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Etowah County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Etowah County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Peter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Etowah County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
