Incident
Officer Joseph Daniels was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery at a fast food restaurant on Graymont Avenue at approximately 8:45 pm.
Officer Daniels, who was off duty at the time, exchanged shots with the suspect and pursued him out of the restaurant until he collapsed as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest. A restaurant employee was also shot and wounded by the suspect, who then fled the scene.
The suspect was finally arrested in July 2012 by the Birmingham Police Department's Cold Case Unit. He was charged with capital murder and attempted murder. In January of 2014 the charges were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
Officer Daniels had served with the Birmingham Police Department for ten years and was assigned to the North Precinct.
Officer Daniels, who was off duty at the time, exchanged shots with the suspect and pursued him out of the restaurant until he collapsed as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest. A restaurant employee was also shot and wounded by the suspect, who then fled the scene.
Survivors
He is survived by his 4-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-71303862- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Daniels gave the Birmingham Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Daniels.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Joseph Jerome Daniels is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 9.1 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Birmingham Police Department, 34 of 49 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Jerome Daniels's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Jerome Daniels Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Jerome Daniels is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Jerome Daniels was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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