Retired Prattville Police Captain Albert Bates Wadsworth Dies at 78

Capt. (Ret.) Albert Bates Wadsworth, a longtime Prattville police captain who served with the Prattville Police Department for more than 40 years before retiring in 2016, died Saturday, Feb. 14. He was 78, WSFA 12 News reported.

Wadsworth spent a career with the Prattville Police Department that spanned decades, culminating in his retirement in 2016 after more than 40 years of service, WSFA noted. The department affiliation and his rank as captain were emphasized in the coverage as central to his public life in Prattville.

WSFA 12 News included a reflection on Wadsworth’s personal commitment to his community: "According to those who knew him, Wadsworth lived a life defined by service, devotion, and unwavering love for his family and community." That characterization framed the coverage of his passing and his long ties to Prattville.

Wadsworth is survived by his wife, Sadie Wadsworth; his daughter, Shea Wadsworth Dunway (Jeff); his brother, Alfred Wadsworth, who also served with Prattville PD; and his grandchildren, Lance Corporal Mason Dunway (Avery) and Logan Dunway, WSFA reported. The mention that Alfred Wadsworth also served with Prattville PD ties the family to the local department across generations.

A memorial service for Wadsworth will be held on Friday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. at Ridout’s Prattville Chapel, located at 347 East Main Street, with visitation running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., WSFA reported. Those arrangements were listed in the WSFA coverage as the immediate plans for family and community to pay respects.

WSFA’s report did not state a cause of death. The news outlet’s item provided the date of death, age, service length, survivors, and funeral logistics; further details about Wadsworth’s career milestones, awards, or the circumstances of his death were not included in that coverage.