Edward K. Alley, Jr.

Birmingham Police Dept. — Birmingham, AL

Felonious

End of Watch December 25, 1980

Age 34

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

The Vigil Panel 123 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 48

Incident

Police Officer Edward Alley was shot and killed while apprehending two convenience store robbery suspects. The shooter was sentenced to life without parole. The shooter had been convicted of robberies in 1976 and was on a work release program. The subject who masterminded the group of robbers was on parole for a life sentence for a previous murder. Officer Alley and his partner set up the city's first organized black watch programs. Officer Alley had served with the Birmingham Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents. His father was a police sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-49117D7C
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.
Police Officer Alley gave the Birmingham Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Alley.

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

Agency

Department Birmingham Police Dept.

Location Birmingham, AL

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

Service Record

End of Watch December 25, 1980

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Police Officer Edward K. Alley, Jr. 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 Birmingham Police Dept., 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.

Birmingham Police Dept.

of 49 officers

69.4% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious