In the winter of 1919, on February 26th, a 25-year-old male, Deputy Sheriff George Arnold Scott of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, met a violent and untimely end. He, along with Fort Payne Chief of Police Beldon Little, was attempting to serve a warrant for moonshining. The subjects of the warrant were two brothers, aged 18 and 20.
As the lawmen, accompanied by the county sheriff, entered the brothers' home, they were met with immediate gunfire.
The sudden onslaught of shotgun blasts proved fatal for both Deputy Scott and Chief Little. The sheriff was also wounded in the exchange but managed to return fire, injuring both of the young suspects. The two brothers were subsequently apprehended.
The following year, in 1920, the two brothers were tried and convicted for the murders of the two officers. One was handed a 50-year prison sentence, while the other received a 15-year term. However, their legal battle was far from over. The Alabama Supreme Court later granted both brothers a new trial.
During the second trial, the defense presented a startling argument: they claimed that Deputy Scott and Chief Little were not killed by the brothers, but were instead accidentally shot by the sheriff in the chaotic crossfire. This defense proved partially successful. On February 24, 1921, one of the brothers was acquitted of the charges. The other was found guilty, but of the lesser charge of second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to less than two years in prison and was also fined a single dollar for violating the prohibition law. Deputy Scott was survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.
