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Huntsville Police Department honors 12 fallen officers

Published on May 17, 2022

three police officers standing in front of the memorial in class A uniform

The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) hosted its annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 17. The event was held in honor of National Police Week to recognize 12 of its officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community.

Chief Kirk Giles and Command Staff honored HPD’s fallen officers along with the Huntsville Police Citizens Foundation, Mayor Tommy Battle, Alabama State Representative Rex Reynolds, and Huntsville City Council members.

“By being here today, we ensure that we remember their names and the sacrifices they made for each of us,” Chief Giles said. “We show our appreciation for their heroism and we must remember that public safety, freedom and prosperity come with a high price.”

HPD’s Fallen Officer Memorial was built by the Huntsville Police Citizens Foundation, a nonprofit funded by a diverse group of citizens and businesses in the community. The foundation provides immediate assistance to families of HPD officers during emergencies.

Below is a list of the 12 HPD officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

  • Officer William J. Street – End of Watch, Monday, Oct. 8, 1883
  • Officer Frank McKissack – End of Watch, Friday, May 26, 1916
  • Officer Ewell B. Starr – End of Watch, Saturday, Dec. 5, 1953
  • Officer Alan S. Logel, Jr. – End of Watch, Monday, Nov. 19, 1956
  • Officer Charles E. Drake, Jr. – End of Watch, Monday, July 23, 1962
  • Officer Preston R. Butler – End of Watch, Friday, June 3, 1966
  • Officer William T. Gaskin – End of Watch, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1968
  • Officer Billy Fred Clardy, Jr. – End of Watch, Wednesday, May 3, 1978
  • Officer Daniel Howard Golden – End of Watch, Monday, Aug. 29, 2005
  • Officer William Eric Freeman – End of Watch, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
  • Officer Keith O’Neal Earle – End of Watch, Monday, April 9, 2018
  • Agent Billy Fred Clardy III – End of Watch, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019
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