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Incident
Detective Frank Childress succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on November 1st, 1912 while questioning a suspicious person inside of a pawn shop on Second Avenue in Bessemer's business district.
He and another officer were inside of the pawn shop following up on an unrelated investigation when the owner notified him of a man attempting to pawn an expensive watch. As the detectives began to question the man he suddenly pulled a revolver from his coat pocket and shot Detective Childress.
The other officer returned fire as the man fled. Officers and several citizens chased the man to a nearby house where the subject continued firing at them with a second handgun before being shot and killed. It was later determined that the watch had been stolen in a previous burglary.
Detective Childress was taken to a local hospital where he remained until dying on November 7th, 1912.
Detective Childress had served with the Bessemer Police Department for 11 years and had previously served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, seven children, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Childress gave the Bessemer Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bessemer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Childress.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bessemer Police Department has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1912, 1 officer at Bessemer Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1912, 5 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 42. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Bessemer Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 47; the middle age was 42. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Frank was 42. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Frank was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10% of these deaths at Bessemer Police Department; January holds the most, 10%. Thursdays: 30%.
November holds 8.9% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Bessemer Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Bessemer Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
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John Riley Manning
Apr 5, 1889
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John J. Flowers Aug 28, 1902
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Harmon Barton Patridge
Jan 6, 1911
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Frank Childress Nov 7, 1912
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Samuel Ulysses Spence
Sep 15, 1913
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Thomas Benjamin Wallace Feb 29, 1916
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J. Carl Goodwin Jun 15, 1918
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Rufus Shelley Kendrick
Jul 10, 1945
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Clifford Thomas Hill
May 2, 1979
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Tommy Lee Thedford
Oct 1, 1981
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Bessemer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
