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Incident
Officer Babb was shot and killed by a man wanted for robbery and larceny of an automobile. A sequence of events started when the suspect, (a recently released prisoner), helped break a prisoner out of a Arcadia prison camp. He then drove a stolen car to Tallahassee where he robbed a woman of $100 in cash and then stole her car. When he ran out of gas the suspect was given a ride to Apalachicola where he stole a deputy sheriff's patrol car. Officer Babb spotted the suspect, gave chase, and cornered the suspect at the end of a dead end street. In an exchange of gunfire Officer Babb was hit three times and killed instantly. The suspect fled in the patrol car to Port St. Joe where he sped past a police road block. Officers riddled the windshield with pistol and shotgun fire, causing the suspect to crash. The suspect fled from the vehicle but was later captured after he was found hiding under a nearby house. The suspect, 28, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on April 2, 1968. His sentence was commuted to life in 1972. He escaped from prison in 1979 but was quickly captured.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Babb served with the Apalachicola Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Apalachicola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Babb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fred is the only officer of Apalachicola Police Department remembered here.
Fred is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1967, 8 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fred was 37. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Fred was 37. 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.
Fred was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Apalachicola Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
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