Officer Austin Hepburn, Jr., Hallandale Beach Police Department, Florida

Officer Austin Hepburn, Jr.

Hallandale Beach Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Friday, July 27, 1973

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Austin Hepburn, Jr.

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.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 2 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge
Offender Paroled in 2001

juvenile offender, stolen vehicle

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Most Recent Reflection

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My family knew Austin when he worked at a Radio Shack next door to our ice cream shop in West Hollywood. I was a teenager and Austin was inspirational to me. We did learn he became a police officer and were devastated at his loss.

Peter Cherberg
USAF Retired

November 5, 2023