Decatur Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch: Friday, April 28, 1905
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 28, 1905
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1905
Sanitary Officer W.L. Steele was shot and killed with his own service revolver after making an arrest for a minor offense at 11:15 am. He was walking the suspect to jail when the man began to fight with him. The suspect was able to gain control of Officer Steele's gun and shot him in the chest.
The man fled but was later apprehended and convicted of murdering Officer Steele. He was executed by hanging on June 16, 1905.
Sanitary Officer Steele was responsible for enforcing the city's municipal health code.