In the late summer of 1977, the community of Geneva, Alabama, was shaken by the loss of its dedicated Sheriff, Lelon D. 'Red' Sizemore. A 62-year-old man, Sizemore had committed 28 years of his life to law enforcement, serving the last six as the esteemed Sheriff of Geneva County. On the evening of August 3rd, what began as a response to a domestic disturbance call would tragically escalate, ending a long and respected career in public service.
The call led Sheriff Sizemore to a situation off Lake Fox Road, east of Chancellor, where a man was reportedly intoxicated and creating a disturbance. As Sheriff Sizemore proceeded to arrest the individual for disorderly conduct and making threats, a struggle broke out. In the ensuing chaos, the suspect managed to gain control of Sheriff Sizemore's. 38 caliber handgun. The Sheriff retreated to his patrol car, but the assailant pursued him, firing the weapon and striking him three times.
The man responsible for Sheriff Sizemore's death was later identified and apprehended. Following a trial, he was convicted of first-degree murder and received a death sentence. The convicted killer remained on Alabama's death row for over two decades until he succumbed to cancer in 2001. In the wake of her husband's untimely death, Sheriff Sizemore's wife stepped up to serve out the remainder of his term, a testament to the family's enduring commitment to the community he had sworn to protect.
