Sheriff Frank E. "Red" Lott, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Georgia

Sheriff Frank E. "Red" Lott

Polk County Sheriff's Office, Georgia

End of Watch Sunday, June 23, 1974

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Frank E. "Red" Lott

Sheriff "Red" Lott was shot and killed while responding to an alarm at Cedartown High School.

Sheriff Lott had just finished eating dinner with his family when he stopped by the office to check-in. He was there when the alarm at the high school went off and decided to investigate it on his way home.

Sheriff Lott and a trustee, Benjamin Franklin Clark, responded to the alarm. The second alarm sounded just as Sheriff Lott and Mr. Clark arrived on the scene. Sheriff Lott radioed back and learned that someone was apparently coming out of the building. Sheriff Lott drove around to the back of the school, where he noticed a man sitting inside a vehicle, the headlights on and the motor running. The sheriff stepped out of his patrol car, and as he approached the vehicle, he asked, "What are you doing?" The man then stepped out of the vehicle and fired a total of six shots. Sheriff Lott was shot three times in the chest, abdomen, and leg. He was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest.

Mr. Clark managed to take Sheriff Lott's gun and fire at the suspect as he drove away. The fleeing suspect returned fire, and Mr. Clark was wounded twice in the leg and groin area.

Sheriff Lott was transported to Polk County General Hospital, where he died 45 minutes later.

A suspect was later tried for Sheriff Lott's murder in 1998 but acquitted. The case officially remains unsolved.

Sheriff Lott was a United States Army veteran of World War II and had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Bio

Age 66
Tour 12 years
Badge S1

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Acquitted

burglary

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Heavenly Father, You are Compassionate and Merciful. None of America’s Peace Officers leave home without the fear of not returning at the end of their watch. It is a fear that is lived daily. Unfortunately, the worst does sometimes come to pass, and lives are left shattered. Lord God, bless and keep the hearts and souls of those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. Wipe away the tears from their eyes. Soothe their pain and bind up their emotional wounds through the wounds of Your beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In His name, and by His authority, I pray. Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Minister Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
I'M PRAYING MINISTRY: Devoted to Prayer and God's Word
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA