Scottsboro Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch: Thursday, August 8, 1963
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 8, 1963
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Patrolman Wayne Boggus was shot and killed after he and another officer arrested a drunk and disorderly man.
They searched the man and located a concealed handgun. As they walked him to the patrol car, the man produced a second concealed handgun and shot Patrolman Boggus in the neck. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Boggus was able to return fire and fatally wounded the suspect.
Patrolman Boggus was a United States Marine Corps Reserve World War II veteran who had served with the Scottsboro Police Department for four months and previously served as a correctional officer for three years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, two stepchildren, mother, and sister.