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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John O'Bryen was shot and killed near Gasden as he walked out of a church after attending Sunday services.
Horrified members of the congregation said a man walked up to him, shot him three times, and then fired two more shots into his body after he fell to the ground. The suspect immediately surrendered to the sheriff. Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen had seized a gallon of bootleg liquor from the man during a raid at his home earlier that morning.
The 23-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentence to 15 years. In June of 1930 he was granted a new trial, convicted again of second degree murder, but sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled on May 24, 1939.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen served with the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gadsden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen.
— 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.
John is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer at Etowah County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 43. 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.
John was 43. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
John was 43. 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.
John was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Etowah County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 20%.
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
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 gun; unknown type, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.3% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Etowah County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Etowah County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
