Norman Lee Read
Patrolman

Norman Lee Read

Saraland Police Department — Saraland, AL
Felonious
End of Watch December 13, 1959
The Vigil Panel 95 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Read was shot and killed while responding to assist other officers as a prisoner attempted to escape from the police department. The prisoner shot Patrolman Read with a shotgun he had gained control of at the police station. The suspect was shot and killed by a dispatcher moments later.

Survivors

Patrolman Read was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-C5C1E672
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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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Read served with the Saraland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Saraland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Read.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Saraland, Mobile County, AL
Platform Identity spd.mobile.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 13, 1959
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun

Patrolman Norman Lee Read is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Saraland Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Saraland Police Department
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
AL — Statewide
405
of 643 officers
63% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Norman Lee Read's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Norman Lee Read Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norman Lee Read is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norman Lee Read was killed by shotgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Saraland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.