Incident
Sheriff Luther Bozeman was struck and killed by a truck driven by a moonshiner who attempted to escape as the sheriff and his deputies raided his still. Deputies shot out the tires on the suspect's truck and captured him near the scene.
The suspect, accused of having deliberately run over Sheriff Bozeman, was charged with first degree murder. At his trial he claimed he did not see the sheriff because he was standing in tall grass. On April 15, 1951, he was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Bozeman served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Columbiana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Bozeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shelby County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Luther is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Luther is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luther 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 1950, 1 officer in AL was killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Luther was 50. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Luther was 50. 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.
Luther was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Shelby County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, 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 automobile, in 4.2% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Shelby County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Luther among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Shelby County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
