Hallandale Beach Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Friday, July 27, 1973
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 27, 1973
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Paroled in 2001
Officer Austin Hepburn was shot and killed by a man in a stolen vehicle in front of 516 NW Sixth Street.
He observed two men and a juvenile attempting to change the license plate on the car. As he approached the group, one of the men grabbed him. A second suspect exited the car and shot him with both loads of a double-barreled shotgun.
Two suspects, 16 and 18, were apprehended three hours later. The 25-year-old killer was apprehended the next day in Waycross, Georgia, by state troopers. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on September 28, 2001. Charges against the other two were dropped.
Officer Hepburn was a Vietnam War veteran and served two years with the Hallandale Beach Police Department.