Prev
Incident
Officer Gary Heath was shot and killed at 4:00 a.m. when he walked into a robbery in progress at the Amoco Food Store at Alabama State Highway 10 and Interstate 65. The subject shot Officer Heath and the store attendant before fleeing with Officer Heath's gun. Their bodies were discovered around 4:20 a.m. The suspect then went on a two-state robbery and killing spree. He shot and killed Deputy Len J. Rowell, of the Pearl River County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi, and Lieutenant Coy Smith of the Alabama Public Service Commission on June 28, 1994. The suspect, who had recently been released on bond in New York for illegally possessing a gun, possession of a stolen car, and stolen credit cards, committed suicide with Officer Heath's gun when he was surrounded by other officers, after killing Lieutenant Smith. Officer Heath had served with the Greenville Police Department for 10 months.
Survivors
Survivors include his parents and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqfe0hn0x26dmd3q5ckg- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Gary. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Heath served with the Greenville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Heath.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Gary is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Gary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gary 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 1994, 5 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gary was 25. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Gary had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Gary was 25. 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. Gary had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
