Name: TL Blakemore Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 6 Annual Fallen Officer Memorial
Start: 2026-05-20T18:00:00-05:00
Location: Courthouse Square, Downtown Huntsville

TL Blakemore Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 6 Annual Fallen Officer Memorial

With the probability of severe weather, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 6 Annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service has been postponed until Wednesday May 20th, 2026, at 6:00pm at the Lodge 6 Memorial, South Side of the Madison County Courthouse, Huntsville AL 35801. FOP Lodge 6 with Huntsville Police Department, Madison Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Madison County Law Enforcement Community will honor the twenty-six Law Enforcement Officers that died in the line of Duty since 1880 while stationed in Madison County Alabama. Speakers will include Lodge Spokesman Donny Shaw, Huntsville Police Chief Kirk Giles, and Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner. The service is approximately one hour, and the public is encouraged to attend as we remember our fallen officers.
The following Law Enforcement Officers, stationed in Madison County Alabama, paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving and protecting the citizens of Madison County:
1) Deputy US Marshal John Byron Hardie
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch Wednesday, December 8, 1880
• Age 31
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Location Alabama
• Weapon Shotgun
• Offender Not available
Deputy Marshal John Hardie was shot and killed in Marshall County, Alabama, while he and two other federal agents attempted to serve a warrant for illicit distilling. As they approached the still, they encountered several men. When Deputy Marshal Hardie identified himself and began to say he had a warrant one of the men opened fire, striking him in the head with a shotgun blast. One of the other agents was wounded in the leg as he attempted to take cover.
2) Officer William J. Street
Huntsville Police Department
End of Watch Monday, October 8, 1883
• Age 42
• Tour 10 years
• Badge Not available
• Military Veteran
• Cause Assault
• Weapon Edged weapon, Axe
• Offender Lynched
Officer William Street was killed when he was struck in the head with an axe as he investigated a disturbance at a home near the city's fairgrounds at Holmes Avenue and Pulaski Pike. When he arrived at the home, he found it to be occupied by a single man. As he began to leave another man, who had been hidden in a closet, came up from behind and struck him on the head with the axe. The killer was taken from jail by an angry mob of citizens and lynched.
3) Deputy Tim Anderson
Madison County Sheriff's Office
End of Watch Thursday, July 7, 1887
• Age Not available
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Assault
• Weapon Blunt object
• Offender Died in mental hospital.
Deputy Jailer Tim Anderson was fatally wounded as he brought an inmate breakfast in his cell. The inmate, 20, who was imprisoned for robbery and arson, grabbed the iron fastening used to lock his cell and attacked Deputy Jailer Anderson, beating him over the head. Deputy Jailer Anderson was killed almost instantly. On July 13, 1888, while awaiting trial, he was seriously wounded when he attempted to attack another jailer in the Madison County Jail. The inmate was committed and died in Searcy Mental Hospital on November 6, 1920.
4) Constable William A. Russell, Jr.
Madison, Alabama Police Department
End of Watch Sunday, November 22, 1903
• Age 65
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Assault
• Weapon Edged weapon, Axe.
• Offender Died in prison.
Constable William Russell succumbed to injuries sustained when he was struck on the head by a woman wielding an axe, while attempting to serve court papers. The court papers were the result of the woman failing to pay for furniture. The 33-year-old woman was charged with Constable Russell's murder and sentenced to life in prison. She died in prison on April 18, 1905, from tuberculosis. Constable Russell had previously served as a deputy for the Madison County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his wife and six children.
5) Officer Frank McKissack
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Friday, May 26, 1916
• Age 31
• Tour 3 years
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Handgun
• Offender Pardoned in 1932
Officer Frank McKissack was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to stop two boys attempting to hop on an outbound train near the Huntsville Depot at 2:20 a.m. One of the suspects opened fire on the officers, striking Officer McKissack in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer McKissack was able to open fire and wounded the shooter. The 17-year-old was taken into custody by Officer McKissack's partner. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was pardoned by Governor B. M. Miller on October 22, 1932. Officer McKissack was survived by his wife and 7-month-old daughter.
6) Deputy Sheriff J. C. (James Crawford) Drake
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Tuesday, December 11, 1928
• Age 42
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Gun; Unknown type
• Offender Not available
Deputy James Drake was shot and killed as he attempted to serve a civil paper on a man. The suspect was in possession of another man's mule, and a bond had been issued to have the mule returned to the owner. As Deputy Drake attempted to deliver the bond the suspect opened fire on him, fatally wounding him. The suspect was never apprehended. Deputy Drake was survived by his wife and four children.
7) Deputy Sheriff Hugh Craft
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Wednesday, June 12, 1929
• Age 55
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Shotgun
• Offender Never apprehended.
Deputy Sheriff Hugh Craft was assassinated because of his previous work as a federal prohibition agent. Deputy Craft was driving from his farm in Gurley, Alabama, to Huntsville when he was ambushed and shot in the face with a shotgun. The two suspects then shot him in the head with a pistol before fleeing. Weeks later one suspect was apprehended and charged with murder but released later due to a lack of evidence. Deputy Craft had recently retired as a federal prohibition agent before being appointed a deputy sheriff in Madison County. He had previously served as the chief of police of the Gurley Police Department. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
8.) Deputy Sheriff William Thomas McMinn
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Saturday, October 7, 1939
• Age Not available
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Handgun
• Offender Killed by citizens.
Deputy McMinn was fatally shot in the back while attempting to serve a warrant at a community dance. Two suspects were arrested in connection with his murder. One of the men was found guilty and the second was acquitted of the murder. Both men were later shot to death by angry citizens. Deputy McMinn was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
9) Officer Ewell B. Starr
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Saturday, December 5, 1953
• Age 36
• Tour 3 years
• Badge 20
• Cause Motorcycle crash
Officer Ewell Starr succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash while on duty. A vehicle pulled in front of him at Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street as he responded to an accident, causing a collision. Officer Starr had served with the Huntsville Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and child.
10) Officer Alan S. Logel, Jr.
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Monday, November 19, 1956
• Age 40
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Military Veteran
• Cause Heart attack
• Incident Date Not available
Officer Alan Loge suffered a fatal heart attack as the result of a stressful incident while on duty at Wellman Avenue at Coleman Street NE. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
11) Police Chief Emmett C. Bright
New Hope Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Thursday, November 7, 1957
• Age 54
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Shotgun
• Offender Sentenced to 15 years.
Police Chief Emmett Bright was shot and killed as he and another officer were attempting to arrest a man on drunk and disorderly charges. As the officers were trying to wrestle the man into a patrol car, two men approached with a shotgun, demanding that the officers turn their friend loose, and then shot Chief Bright three times. Both men were apprehended a few hours later.
Both suspects were convicted of second-degree murder on February 28, 1958. The suspect who shot Chief Bright was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His accomplice was sentenced to 13 years.
12) Police Officer Charles E. Drake, Jr.
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Monday, July 23, 1962
• Age 27
• Tour 3 years
• Badge Not available
• Cause Motorcycle crash
• Incident Date Not available
Police Officer Charles Drake was killed in a motorcycle accident while responding to another accident on Highway 72. He was driving on Jordan Lane when another vehicle turned in front of him, causing a collision. Officer Drake had served with the agency for 3 years. He was survived by his expectant wife and child.
13)Police Officer Preston R. Butler
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Friday, June 3, 1966
• Age 27
• Tour 5 years
• Badge Not available
• Cause Motorcycle crash
• Incident Date Wednesday, May 11, 1966
Police Officer Preston Butler succumbed to injuries sustained three weeks earlier on Memorial Parkway when he was involved in a motorcycle accident while in route to another accident call.
The fuel tank ruptured, and Officer Butler was trapped beneath the motorcycle while on the parkway near Oakwood Avenue. He suffered burns over 90 percent of his body. He was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Officer Butler had served with the agency for five years. He was survived by his wife.
14) Police Officer William T. Gaskin
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Tuesday, August 27, 1968
• Age 22
• Tour 3 months
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Gun; Unknown type
• Offender Murdered in prison.
Officer William Gaskin was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Toll Gate Road. He had radioed to dispatch that he was making the stop and was found by other officers suffering from a gunshot wound. He was still holding the suspect's driver's license when he was found. The man was committed to a mental institution where he was stabbed to death two years later.
Police Officer Gaskin was a U.S. Army veteran had only served with the Huntsville Police Department for three months. He was survived by his three aunts and uncles.
15) Investigator Kenneth James McDonald
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Monday, May 26, 1975
• Age Not available
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Investigator McDonald was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer after responding to a shots fired call. When Investigator McDonald and other deputies arrived, they discovered an elderly man shooting at a utility worker. A running gun battle ensued, and Investigator McDonald was mortally wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
16) Police Officer Billy Fred Clardy, Jr.
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Wednesday, May 3, 1978
• Age 26
• Tour 3 years
• Badge 143
• Cause Automobile crash
Police Officer Billy Clardy was killed in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 72, at the intersection with Old Gurley Road, while in route to meet another officer. His vehicle left the roadway and struck a rock wall, causing him to suffer fatal injuries. Officer Clardy had served with the Huntsville Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, his brother, and five sisters.
17) Deputy Sheriff Thomas Robert Lewis
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Tuesday, November 1, 1994
• Age Not available
• Tour Not available
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Shotgun
• Offender Shot and killed.
Deputy Lewis was shot and killed while he and two other deputies were attempting to serve commitment papers on a mentally ill suspect. The suspect was waiting for the officers to arrive with a shotgun and binoculars. When the officers knocked on the door and identified themselves the suspect opened fire on them, killing Deputy Lewis. The suspect also shot Deputy Billy Thrower who was able to return fire and K*ll the suspect.
18) Deputy Sheriff Billy Joe Thrower
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Sunday, September 17, 1995
• Age 41
• Tour 16 years
• Badge 225
• Cause Gunfire
• Incident Date Tuesday, November 1, 1994
• Weapon Shotgun
• Offender Shot and killed.
Deputy Thrower died from injuries sustained on November 1, 1994, during a gun battle with a suspect who he and two other officers were trying to serve commitment papers to. The suspect was waiting for them with binoculars and a shotgun. When the officers knocked on the door and identified themselves the suspect opened fire, killing Deputy Thomas Lewis, and mortally wounding Deputy Thrower. Although severely wounded, Deputy Thrower was able to return fire and K*ll the suspect. Deputy Thrower had been with the agency for 16 years and is survived by his wife and daughter.
19) Trooper Willis Von Moore
Alabama Department of Public Safety
End of Watch Monday, February 26, 1996
• Age 34
• Tour 1 year
• Badge Not available
• Cause Automobile crash
Trooper Willis Moore was killed in an automobile crash while responding to another crash call north of Huntsville. He was driving with his emergency equipment activated when he was forced into a guardrail by several cars that refused to grant Trooper Willis the right of way as he approached a bridge on Route 431, north of Bob Wade Lane. The guardrail impaled the patrol car through the steering column. Emergency workers freed Trooper Moore by cutting away the roof of the patrol car and then rushed him to the hospital. He died as a result of his injuries later in the night. No charges were filed against the driver who pulled in front of him. Trooper Moore had served with the Alabama Department of Public Safety for one year. He is survived by his parents, brothers, and sisters.
20) Deputy Sheriff Haskel Gene McLane
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Thursday, May 31, 2001
• Age 53
• Tour 9 years
• Badge 236
• Cause Vehicle pursuit
• Weapon Automobile
• Offender Not available
Deputy Sheriff Haskel McLane was killed in an automobile accident while attempting to locate an armed, drunk man who was threatening to harm another person. The suspect was reported to be driving to a residence and Deputy McLane was attempting to stop him. Deputy McLane spotted a vehicle fitting the description and began to give chase on a curvy road. His vehicle slid off of the roadway and struck a tree on the driver's door at West Limestone Road, west of Hazel Green. Deputy McLane was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Department for nine years.
21) Police Officer Daniel Howard Golden
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Monday, August 29, 2005
• Age 27
• Tour 3 years
• Badge 411
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Gun; Unknown type
• Offender Committed suicide.
Police Officer Daniel Golden was shot and killed when he responded to a domestic disturbance call at a restaurant at 2648 Jordan Lane. The officer was shot in the head when he arrived at the scene. He was transported to Huntsville Hospital where he died a short time later. One suspect, who was an illegal alien, was taken into custody at the scene and charged with capital murder. He was subsequently sentenced to death. On April 26th, 2015, the subject committed suicide by hanging himself in his prison cell. Officer Golden had served with the Huntsville Police Department for three years and was assigned to the West Precinct. He is survived by his wife and two children.
22) Police Officer William Eric Freeman
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Saturday, December 15, 2007
• Age 36
• Tour 3 years
• Badge 364
• Cause Gunfire
• Incident Date Friday, December 14, 2007
• Weapon Handgun
• Offender Sentence to life in prison
Officer William Freeman was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to an automobile accident on Bailey Cove Road, near Weatherly Road, at approximately 8:45 pm. When they arrived at the scene, they located one of the subjects sitting on a curb. As they approached the subject and attempted to arrest him for DUI, the man produced a handgun and shot Officer Freeman in the face. The other officer, with the help of two bystanders, was able to subdue the suspect and take him into custody. The suspect was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Freemen was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning. Officer Freeman had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.
23) Police Officer Keith O'Neal Earle
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Monday, April 9, 2018
• Age 46
• Tour 25 years
• Badge 203
• Cause Automobile crash
• Incident Date Monday, March 26, 2018
Police Officer Keith Earle succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicle crash on March 26th, 2018, at the intersection of Pulaski Pike and Grizzard Road. He was transported to Huntsville Hospital where his condition deteriorated until passing away on April 9th, 2018. Officer Earle had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 25 years.
24) Agent Billy Fred Clardy, III
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Friday, December 6, 2019
• Age 48
• Tour 14 years
• Badge Not available
• Military Veteran
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Handgun
• Offender Sentenced to death.
Agent Billy Clardy III was shot and killed while participating in a narcotics operation with the HIDTA Gulf Coast Task Force. The task force was conducting a buy-bust operation at a home on Levert Street, near the intersection of Oakwood Avenue, at 4:00 pm. Agents attempted to take the suspect into custody as the man delivered a large amount of narcotics to the home. The man immediately opened fire, striking Agent Clardy in an area not protected by his vest. The man, 42, then fled on foot but was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. He was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to death. Agent Clardy was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 14 years and had previously served with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, the Ardmore Police Department, and the Fayetteville, Tennessee, Police Department. He is survived by his wife, five children, two brothers, and his mother. Agent Clardy’s father, Police Officer Billy Clardy, Jr., was also killed in the line of duty while serving with the Huntsville Police Department. Officer Clardy, Jr., was killed in a vehicle crash on May 3rd, 1978.
25) Investigator Steven Ray Finley
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch Friday, January 14, 2022
• Age 59
• Tour 29 years
• Badge Not available
• Military Veteran
• Cause COVID19
• Incident Date Monday, December 27, 2021
Investigator Steven Finley died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Investigator Finley was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office for 29 years. He is survived by his wife.
26) Police Officer Garrett Crumby
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Tuesday, March 28, 2023
• Age 36
• Tour 11 years
• Badge Not available
• Cause Gunfire
• Weapon Gun; Unknown type
• Offender Charged with Capital Murder
Police Officer Garrett Crumby was shot and killed while responding to a shots fired call at the 4600 block of Governors House Drive at 4:45 pm. A female called 911 and reported that she had been shot. When Officer Crumby and another officer responded, they were ambushed by the subject. Both officers were transported to Huntsville Hospital where Officer Crumby succumbed to his wounds. The other officer remains in critical condition. The subject was taken into custody and charged with capital murder of a law enforcement officer. Officer Crumby had served with the Huntsville Police Department for three years and previously served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, mother, father, and three sisters.