Incident
Sheriff J.C. Woodham succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained three days earlier when he stopped two suspects who had stolen narcotics from a local hospital. The two suspects were arrested in Pensacola, Florida, the day after the shooting. In November 1957 both suspects were convicted of first degree murder. One was sentenced to life in prison and the other was sentenced to death. The death sentence was later commuted to life. Both men died in prison.
Survivors
Sheriff Woodham was survived by his two teenage children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-486260D1- 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.
Sheriff Woodham served with the Geneva County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Geneva community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Woodham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff J. C. Woodham 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 Geneva County Sheriff's 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. J. C. Woodham's cause is highlighted.
How J. C. Woodham Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. C. Woodham is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. C. Woodham was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Geneva County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
