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Incident
Detective Whitten was shot and killed when he answered a knock at his back door at approximately 2100 hours. The suspect in a case that Detective Whitten was investigating hired two hit-men to murder him so that the suspect would not face any jail time. Detective Whitten survived long enough to identify the murderers. All parties involved where charged with murder. Two of the suspects were sentenced to death and the third was sentenced to 25 years in prison. One of the suspects had his sentence reduce to life in prison without parole in 2005 when the United States Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitional to execute convicted murderers who committed their crimes as juveniles. The suspect sentenced to 25 years was denied parole in 2010. His next parole hearing in 2020 was also denied.
Survivors
Detective Whitten was survived by his parents 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.
Detective Whitten served with the Albertville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Albertville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Whitten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ernest is the only officer of Albertville Police Department remembered here.
Ernest is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest 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 1995, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1995, 96 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1995, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 36. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Ernest was 36. 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.
Ernest was 36. 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 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Albertville Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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