Grant Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Friday, August 15, 2003
Add to My HeroesVerlon LeMaster, Jr.
Chief Vernon LeMaster was shot and killed after he and two deputies responded to a location to recover a stolen handgun at 10:30 am.
Chief LeMaster accompanied Marshall County and Madison County deputies to a home on Cathedral Caverns Highway in search of the weapon shortly after 10:00 am. The officers confronted the two juvenile suspects in the house, and shots were exchanged. During the gunfight, Chief LeMaster was shot in the face. He was flown to Huntsville Hospital, where he died at 11:45 am.
One suspect was shot and wounded by deputies in return gunfire. Both suspects were arrested and charged as adults with capital murder and attempted murder. Both were subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Chief LeMaster had a total of 28 years of law enforcement experience and had served with the Grant Police Department for 20 years. He had served as the chief for 13 years. He is survived by his daughter, sister, father, and brother.
The town of Grant is a mountaintop community of about 700 people in northeast Marshall County.
Bio
- Age 49
- Tour 28 years
- Badge 360
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 182 ReflectionsChief LeMaster,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Grant. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
August 15, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024