Ollie Battle
David Olius "Ollie" Battle (born June 2, 1877; died December 25, 1910) was a Jefferson County deputy, shot while on duty.
Battle was the son of William S. Battle and the former Elizabeth Jane Franklin.
He was visiting his parents in Oak Grove for Christmas eve, when he was asked by a neighbor, Jepp Knight to investigate gunfire at the Laird homestead. The two found John Laird standing over his father's body with a gun. Laird fired at Battle, hitting him in the hip, and six more times in the back after he turned to flee. Knight, who had stayed back during the confrontation, summoned help. Laird fled with two others, but is believed to have been caught and killed by a posse.
Battle died the next day at home. He is buried under an obelisk at Oak Grove First Baptist Church's cemetery.
References
- Robinson, Carol (March 17, 2007) "A century later, heroes are honored." The Birmingham News
External links
- Deputy Sheriff David Olius "Ollie" Battle at the Officer Down Memorial Page
- David Olius Battle at Findagrave.com