Remembering the Fallen

Each day the members of the Dothan Police Department risk their personal safety and, sometimes, their lives. A police officer’s dedication to the job can lead him or her to perform great acts of heroism and on an unfortunate occasion pay the ultimate price.

Every day a police officer wears the uniform is a day that could be his or her last. The Dothan Police Department remembers those who died in service to our community.

Sergeant Jeffery Wayne Garrett

End of Watch: October 27, 2014

Sgt. Jeffery Garrett suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a 2-mile training run with other officers at Westgate Park shortly after 8 am on October 27, 2014. Other officers immediately began CPR while rescue medics responded. He was transported to Flowers Hospital where he passed away a short time later.

Sgt. Garrett was a US Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Dothan Police Department for 22 years and was assigned to the training division. He is survived by his wife, three children and two stepchildren.

Corporal Robert Armstrong

End of Watch: January 19, 1985

Cpl. Robert Armstrong was killed when the patrol car he was driving was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Ross Clark Circle while he was working an overtime DUI enforcement detail at 4:30 pm on January 19, 1985.

The drunk driver was driving the wrong way on the four-lane divided highway when the collision occurred. Both Cpl. Armstrong and the drunk driver were transported to a local hospital where both died of their injuries. The suspect had previous DUI arrests.

Cpl. Armstrong had served with the Dothan Police Department nearly seven years. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Lieutenant Robert Jackson

End of Watch: January 31, 1978

Lt. Robert Jackson was assassinated in the driveway of his home as he got out of his car at around 10 pm on January 31, 1978. The case remains unsolved as to who murdered Lt. Jackson.

Lt. Jackson served in the Narcotics Division at the time of his murder and it’s thought that his job assignment may have contributed to the motivation to murder him. Lt. Jackson was survived by his wife and children. He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant in 2006.

Sergeant Shelby Owens

End of Watch: November 9, 1970

Sgt. Shelby Owens was killed in a motorcycle collision while en route to escort a funeral procession at around 10 am on November 9, 1970.

He had just finished an escort and was headed to another when a car accidentally pulled out in front of him. The driver of the other car was not charged.

Sgt. Owens had served with the Dothan Police Department for 20 years and is survived by his son.

Officer Hugh DeShazo

End of Watch: December 7, 1914

Off. Hugh DeShazo was shot while talking on the telephone inside the “Dixie Grocery Store” while working his assigned beat. He was taken to a local infirmary where he succumbed to his injuries.

Off. DeShazo had served with the Dothan Police Department less than one month prior to his murder. Off. DeShazo is survived by his wife and three children.