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Incident
Officer Bedford Brackeen was shot and killed by a suspect who approached him and his partner and began to argue with them. The two officers were sitting in their patrol car next to the old bus stop at Clinton Street and Washington Street when the man approached them. The man began to argue with Officer Brackeen's partner about a previous incident involving the man's sister. The suspect then pulled out a revolver and opened fire on the partner. Officer Brackeen exited the patrol car and exchanged shots with the suspect. Officer Brackeen was shot three times but still attempted to chase the suspect before collapsing. The suspect was arrested near Nashville, Tennessee, two days later. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death June 24, 1941. On November 25, 1943, his sentence was commuted to life. He was paroled on January 14, 1951. Officer Brackeen had served with the agency for 20 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Brackeen gave the Athens Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Brackeen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Athens Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Bedford is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Bedford is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bedford is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bedford was 47. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Bedford had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Bedford was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Bedford had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bedford was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bedford had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 4.7% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Mondays: 13.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Athens Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.8% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Athens Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Bedford among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
