Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch: Sunday, June 13, 1937
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 13, 1937
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1947
Deputy Sheriff Andrew Dutton was shot and killed at a congregation-packed church near Moulton. Shot five times, Deputy Dutton managed to shoot and critically wound his assailant. Six parishioners were hit with gunfire. One died from her wounds a week later. Deputy Dutton's 18 year-old daughter witnessed the entire incident.
Deputy Dutton went to the church to investigate a reported disturbance. The Lawrence County Sheriff said Deputy Dutton was lured to the church in a plot to take his life because of his many raids on liquor stills throughout Lawrence County. The gunman and an accomplice were charged with his murder.
The gunman was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison. He was paroled May 2, 1947.