Patrolman Allen Lee "Butch" Harmon

Patrolman Allen Lee "Butch" Harmon

Lincoln Police Department, Alabama

End of Watch Saturday, November 16, 1974

Add to My Heroes

Allen Lee "Butch" Harmon

Patrolman Butch Harmon and Patrolman Otis Robison were shot and killed after making a traffic stop on I-20 and arresting a man for suspicion of drunk driving.

Unknown to the officers, the suspect was driving a stolen car and had escaped from the Calhoun County Jail on January 26, 1974, while awaiting an appeal of a four-year sentence for burglary. The officers were transporting the man to Talladega to administer a sobriety test. At 1:40 a.m., they were driving on Alabama 77, approximately one mile south of Alabama 78, when the man produced a pistol and shot Patrolman Robison, who was beside him in the back seat. He then shot Patrolman Harmon in the front seat. A third officer, who was driving, exchanged gunfire with the suspect as he fled into the woods. The suspect was apprehended at a Birmingham motel ten days later.

On April 18, 1975, the 35-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison. In November 1980, he escaped from prison. Later that month, he was apprehended in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He died in prison on January 22, 2006.

Patrolman Harmon was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Lincoln Police Department for less than one year. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

Bio

  • Age 27
  • Tour 1 year
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; .380 caliber
  • Offender Sentenced to life

escapee, Impaired Driver, stolen vehicle, traffic stop, transport

Most Recent Reflection

View all 9 Reflections

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 16, 2011

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.