Columbus, Ga. - The 1954 murder of Alabama attorney general nominee Albert Patterson in Phenix City led to martial law, 734 indictments and murder charges against three officials. The killing also inspired the 1955 film "The Phenix City Story," putting the city across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus on movie screens.

Patterson was killed June 18, 1954, just eight days after winning the Democratic runoff for attorney general (my math: June 10 to June 18). More than 70 years later, it remains one of the defining chapters in Phenix City's history.

Who was Albert Patterson?

Albert Patterson was born Jan. 27, 1894, in New Site, Alabama.

He served in World War I as a second lieutenant, shipping out to France in July 1918 with the 36th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded there and received France's Croix de Guerre.

Back home, he earned a teacher's certificate from Jacksonville State in 1921, a history degree from the University of Alabama in 1926 and a law degree from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.

In Phenix City, he joined the Board of Education in 1937 and chaired the Russell County draft board by 1940. He served in the Alabama State Senate from 1947 to 1951.

In 1954, he ran for attorney general. On June 10, he won the Democratic runoff against Lee "Red" Porter of Gadsden, putting him in line to become Alabama's top lawyer.

He seemed to know the odds. Before his death, he said, "I have only a 100-to-1 chance of ever being sworn in as attorney general."

He never took office.

June 18, 1954

At about 9 p.m. on June 18, 1954, an unidentified gunman shot Patterson at his law office in the Coulter Building in Phenix City. He was 60.

The state steps in

Within weeks, Gov. Gordon Persons declared martial law in Phenix City.

Special prosecutors were sent from Montgomery, and a grand jury in Birmingham issued 734 indictments.

That number shows how wide the investigation reached. The source does not list what happened in each of those cases, so the 734 indictments should not be confused with convictions.

Three officials charged, one convicted

Three officials were charged with murder in Patterson's death:

• Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Fuller
• Circuit Solicitor Arch Ferrell
• Attorney General Si Garrett

Only Fuller was convicted. He was sentenced to life in prison but was released after 10 years, and he died the same year he got out. Ferrell was acquitted. Garrett was never tried.

Timeline

His son finishes the job

Patterson's son, John Malcolm Patterson, took over the Democratic nomination after his father's death. He won, took office as attorney general in 1955, and three years later, in 1958, was elected governor of Alabama.

In four years, the family went from a murdered nominee to the governor's office.

Hollywood tells the story

In 1955, "The Phenix City Story" brought the events to movie audiences.

It is a dramatization, so its scenes shouldn't be taken as the documented record. But it gave Phenix City a lasting place in film history, and for Columbus-area residents, the story played out just across the river.

The case by the numbers

How he is remembered

A memorial statue of Albert Patterson stands on the grounds of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery.

Quick Q&A

When was Albert Patterson killed? About 9 p.m. on June 18, 1954, at his law office in Phenix City.

What happened next? Within weeks, the governor declared martial law in Phenix City, and a Birmingham grand jury issued 734 indictments.

Was anyone convicted of his murder? Of the three officials charged, only Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Fuller was convicted. He was sentenced to life and released after 10 years.

What happened to his son? John Malcolm Patterson became attorney general in 1955 and was elected governor in 1958.

Is there a movie? Yes, "The Phenix City Story," released in 1955.

Why it matters for Columbus

Phenix City and Columbus share a river and a lot of history. The Patterson case is a reminder that one of Alabama's most dramatic political stories happened within sight of downtown Columbus.

How we did this

This article is based on Wikipedia's "Albert Patterson" entry, reviewed Oct. 23, 2026. It sticks to the documented events and leaves out claims about other people or crimes that the source does not support.