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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Clyde Tatum and Deputy Sheriff Alf Wadsworth were killed when their patrol car collided at an intersection with a State Highway Patrol vehicle. Officers and deputies were responding to a high-priority domestic call when the crash occurred. The two highway patrolmen and a county judge in the other vehicle were seriously injured. Deputy Tatum died a few hours after the crash. Deputy Wadsworth was transported to Prattville General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 24, 1952.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and brother.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Tatum served with the Autauga County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Prattville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tatum.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Autauga County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Clyde is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
Clyde is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clyde is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 4 officers in AL were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 1952, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1952, 65 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Clyde was 40. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5.
Clyde was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Clyde was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
November holds 8.2% of these deaths in AL; July holds the most, 13.2%. Saturdays: 21.4%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Autauga County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Autauga County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Clyde among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Autauga County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
