Madison County Sheriff's Office, Alabama
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 12, 1929
Age: 55
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 12, 1929
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Deputy Sheriff Hugh Craft was assassinated because of his previous work as a federal prohibition agent.
Deputy Craft was driving from his farm in Gurley, Alabama, to Huntsville when he was ambushed and shot in the face with a shotgun. The two suspects then shot him in the head with a pistol before fleeing. Weeks later one suspect was apprehended and charged with murder but released later due to a lack of evidence.
Deputy Craft had recently retired as a federal prohibition agent before being appointed a deputy sheriff in Madison County. He had previously served as the chief of police of the Gurley Police Department. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.