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Incident
Chief Opal Hughes was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant as a result of a domestic incident. The suspect opened fire after the officers discovered a still inside the home. The following day, the offender responsible for Chief Hughes' murder was killed in town. Chief Hughes had served with the Alexandria Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Hughes gave the Alexandria Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Alexandria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hughes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alexandria Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Opal is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Opal is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Opal 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 1927, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Opal was 32. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Opal had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Opal was 32. 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. Opal had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Opal was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Opal had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.8% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Alexandria Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Alexandria Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Opal among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alexandria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.