Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman August Mayford was shot and killed after being abducted while making his rounds. When Patrolman Mayford failed to check in, officers began to search for him. His body was found in an Edwardsville cornfield on Halloween, 15 days later. He had been badly beaten and shot in the back eight times while lying on the ground. The suspects, who were part of a robbery crew, confessed to the crime years later. Around midnight on October 16, Patrolman Mayford had interrupted a night of intended burglaries that included a jewelry store, warehouse, and the American Express office at 4 Front Street. When Patrolman Mayford confronted the three men, the suspects beat him, knocked him unconscious, drove him to the cornfield, and shot him multiple times in the back to prevent their apprehension. The three assailants were serving sentences for unrelated robberies when they confessed. One suspect died before he could be tried. Another was sentenced to 15 years in prison for Patrolman Mayford's murder. Patrolman Mayford had served with the Alton Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-EB16CEC5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Mayford gave the Alton Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mayford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman August Mayford is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Alton Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. August Mayford's cause is highlighted.
How August Mayford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. August Mayford is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. August Mayford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Alton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
