Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 10, 1957
Age: 70
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: December 9, 1957
Weapon Used: Blunt object; Shovel
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Guard Archie Boutwell succumbed to injuries sustained several hours earlier when he was attacked by an inmate at Camp Greenville, a state prison camp in Butler County.
Guard Boutwell had just finished making his rounds and had gone to the camp's washroom to warm up next to the boiler. While inside the washroom he was attacked by an inmate and struck over the head with a shovel. The inmate knew that Guard Boutwell regularly carried a large sum of money in his wallet and intended to rob him.
A short time later a trustee who was sent to turn on the boiler discovered Guard Boutwell laying injured on the floor bleeding from his head. He immediately alerted a guard and Guard Boutwell was transported to a local hospital where he died shortly after midnight.
The 23-year-old prisoner was convicted of Guard Boutwell's murder and sentenced to life. He had a parole hearing in 1975 but the outcome is unknown.
Guard Boutwell was survived by his wife, two sons, and four daughters.