Prev
Incident
Police Officer Benjamin McDonald was shot and killed as he and another officer responded to a disturbance call involving a drunk driver in the Lanett Triangle area.
As Officer McDonald ordered the driver to stop the passenger opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer McDonald and the other officer. Both officers were transported to a local hospital where Officer McDonald died six days later.
Both subjects were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. A year later one was granted a new trial and sentenced to two and a half years.
Officer McDonald was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Officer McDonald was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp07r2mfscv5mx315bte- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Benjamin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McDonald served with the Lanett Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lanett community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McDonald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Benjamin is the only officer of Lanett Police Department remembered here.
Benjamin is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1936, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 27. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Benjamin was 27. 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.
Benjamin was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 8.9% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lanett Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lanett Police Department are honored on badge.nw.