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Incident
Officer Hugh DeShazo was shot and killed by a man while walking his beat. He had stopped at a local grocery store to use the phone when a man entered and shot him four times.
The 45-year-old suspect, who pleaded insanity, was convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. He was paroled on March 21, 1923.
Officer DeShazo had served with the agency for only 1 month.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Officer DeShazo served with the Dothan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dothan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer DeShazo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dothan Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Hugh is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Hugh is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hugh 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 1914, 9 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hugh was 28. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Hugh had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Hugh was 28. 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. Hugh had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hugh was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hugh had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Mondays: 13.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Dothan Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Dothan Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Hugh among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Dothan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
