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Washington May Bennett
Incident
Chief Deputy Sheriff Washington Bennett, Sheriff E.M. Boyles, and Chief of Police Leonard Floyd, of the Boaz Police Department, were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant at a farmhouse on a man, 40, for assault with intent to kill a neighbor. As the three other deputies and another deputy reached the suspect's farmhouse, he came out with a rifle, firing rapidly at the officers as they were getting out of their car. All four returned fire, killing the man. As the man fell, his 16-year-old son grabbed the rifle. Firing rapidly from the hip, he brought down all four lawmen. Chief Floyd was shot in the back, never drawing his weapon. Sheriff Boyles was shot in his right hand, shattering the butt of of his gun and then fatally struck in his side, killing him instantly. Chief Deputy Bennett shot through the left temple, the bullet exiting his right jaw, managed to get the seriously wounded deputy into the car, and drove into Boaz, sounding the alarm. Chief Deputy Bennett died in a hospital three hours later. The boy and two men in the home were arrested and charged with three counts of murder. The wounded deputy said shots not only came from the youth, but also from two windows. Yet charges against the two men were dropped. Only the Youth was tried for murder. Over the next two years, four trials ended with hung juries. Just as the fifth trial was about to begin, a plea bargain resulted in a 10-year sentence. He was paroled on December 24, 1957.
Survivors
Chief Deputy Bennett was survived by his wife, two children, and a 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.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Bennett served with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Guntersville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Bennett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marshall County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Washington is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Washington is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Washington 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 1951, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1951, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Washington was 40. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Washington was 40. 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.
Washington was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Marshall County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.9% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Marshall County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Washington among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Marshall County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
