U.S. Army · United States 
Glenn Varnell
1929
Glenn Lafayette Varnell served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Location: Alabama
Weapon: Handgun
Offender: Sentenced to 15 years
Special Agent Glenn Varnell was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a man and a juvenile boy, ages 20 and 17, who were trespassing on a train in the area of 24th Street and Railroad Avenue in the downtown rail yards at Birmingham, Alabama.
Special Agent Varnell had taken the two prisoners to a nearby dispatcher's office. As he prepared to search the two, one pulled out a pistol and shot Special Agent Varnell in the abdomen. Despite the wound, he was able to return fire and wounded the man. Special Agent Varnell was taken to St. Vincent Hospital, where he died two hours after the shooting.
Both subjects were taken into custody a short time later and confessed to the shooting. Both were charged with murder. One was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years.
Special Agent Varnell was a United States WWI Army veteran.
Weapon: Handgun
Offender: Sentenced to 15 years
Special Agent Glenn Varnell was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a man and a juvenile boy, ages 20 and 17, who were trespassing on a train in the area of 24th Street and Railroad Avenue in the downtown rail yards at Birmingham, Alabama.
Special Agent Varnell had taken the two prisoners to a nearby dispatcher's office. As he prepared to search the two, one pulled out a pistol and shot Special Agent Varnell in the abdomen. Despite the wound, he was able to return fire and wounded the man. Special Agent Varnell was taken to St. Vincent Hospital, where he died two hours after the shooting.
Both subjects were taken into custody a short time later and confessed to the shooting. Both were charged with murder. One was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years.
Special Agent Varnell was a United States WWI Army veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three-year-old son, and infant daughter.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Southern Railway Police Department
Special Agent
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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