Officer Austin Hepburn, Jr.

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

Hallandale Beach Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Friday, July 27, 1973

Add to My Heroes

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

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 23 Reflections

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

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.

Recent LODD Deaths