Incident
Police Officer Wilson Coleman was shot and killed as he was standing on the steps of his boarding house at 51st Street and Gary Avenue in Fairfield around 5:00 a.m. Officer Coleman was on duty and had just woken up another officer who was also staying at the boarding house. The officer was en route to join him on the steps when he heard gunfire. Officer Coleman was found with a gunshot to his head at the stairwell landing. A motive was never determined, and a suspect was never apprehended. Officer Coleman had served with the Fairfield Police Department for only two days.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-CB3BE360- 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.
Police Officer Coleman served with the Fairfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Coleman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Wilson H. Coleman is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 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 Fairfield Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Wilson H. Coleman's cause is highlighted.
How Wilson H. Coleman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilson H. Coleman is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilson H. Coleman was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Fairfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.


