Samuel Lewis Williams

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office — Birmingham, AL

Felonious

End of Watch October 11, 1927

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 54 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 23

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Samuel Williams was shot and fatally wounded when he attempted to arrest a man at his home near downtown Birmingham for assaulting a city health inspector.

The suspect, who barricaded himself in his home, opened fire on officers when they attempted to dislodge him with teargas and fire bombs. During an hour long gun battle eight officers and three onlookers were shot and wounded, but none seriously. The suspect was killed by an officer who shot him from an adjoining rooftop.

Deputy Williams, shot in the abdomen, died an hour later in a Birmingham hospital.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-1D33500C
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Samuel. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Williams served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Williams.

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

Agency

Department Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Location Birmingham, AL

Platform Identity jcso.jefferson.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 11, 1927

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff Samuel Lewis Williams 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 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 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 15 of 24 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

of 24 officers

62.5% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious