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Incident
Deputy Don Stephenson was shot and killed while working a prohibition enforcement detail with several other officers. Two other officers were wounded in the shootout. Four men were apprehended and charged with murder. Two were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. The other two were convicted of second degree murder. One was sentenced to 30 years and the other to 20 years. All four were paroled in December of 1931. One had his parole revoked in 1937. He escaped from prison four time between 1945 and 1951.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Stephenson served with the Colbert County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscumbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stephenson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colbert County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Don is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Don is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Don 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 1921, 1 officer at Colbert County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1902, with 6.
In 1921, 3 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Don was 45. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Colbert County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 45; the middle age was 45.
Don was 45. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Don was 45. 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.
Don was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 10% of these deaths at Colbert County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 60%. Saturdays: 10%.
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Colbert County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.5% 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
Colbert County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Don among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Colbert County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
