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Incident
Patrolman Milam suffered a fatal heart attack while arresting a suspect. He and his partner had responded to a disturbance call at a local housing complex and struggled with a suspect whom they were arresting. After detaining the suspect Patrolman Milam sat in his cruiser and fell slumped against the steering wheel.
Survivors
Patrolman Milam had been with the agency for 23 years and is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqkdzkznwhysv55fhapf- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Reuben is one person.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Milam gave the Alexander City Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Alexander City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Milam.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Reuben Drew Milam served in the U.S. Army (1943â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Alexander City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Reuben is one of 30 officers lost to cardiac events in AL, 4.7% of the 643 remembered there.
Reuben is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Reuben is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer in AL was lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 3.
In 1976, 12 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1976, 12 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Reuben was 58. Of the 29 lost to cardiac events in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 56; the middle age was 48. Reuben had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Reuben was 58. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Reuben had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Reuben was 58. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Reuben had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 6.7% of these deaths in AL; October holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 30%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Alexander City Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Alexander City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Reuben among them.
Military Service
Reuben Drew Milam served in the U.S. Army (1943–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Reuben Drew Milam’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Alexander City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
