Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Foster was shot and killed by a suspect he was attempting to arrest for the theft of chickens.
Deputy Foster, along with two other deputies who had an arrest warrant for the suspect, went to the suspect's mother-in-law's house, where he was thought to be. The house was approximately one to two miles north of Rogersville. They arrived at the house near midnight, and on demanding admittance, the suspect's mother-in-law said he was not home. They told her they would search the house, and after some parleying, they entered. Upon entering the house, Deputy Foster struck a match, holding it over his head to see.
At this point, the suspect shot the deputy with a musket at close range, a load of shots striking him in the side. Deputy Foster fell, and the suspect rushed out of the house and escaped in the darkness, followed by a number of shots by the deputies. Deputy Foster walked a few feet and fell dead.
Deputy Foster had been specially deputized to arrest the theft suspect.
The man who shot him was convicted of Deputy Constable Foster's murder and sentenced to death. The United States Supreme Court reversed the verdict and returned the case to the lower court for trial, where he was convicted again and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison three years later.
Deputy Foster, along with two other deputies who had an arrest warrant for the suspect, went to the suspect's mother-in-law's house, where he was thought to be. The house was approximately one to two miles north of Rogersville. They arrived at the house near midnight, and on demanding admittance, the suspect's mother-in-law said he was not home. They told her they would search the house, and after some parleying, they entered. Upon entering the house, Deputy Foster struck a match, holding it over his head to see.
At this point, the suspect shot the deputy with a musket at close range, a load of shots striking him in the side. Deputy Foster fell, and the suspect rushed out of the house and escaped in the darkness, followed by a number of shots by the deputies. Deputy Foster walked a few feet and fell dead.
When I began the research of my gg Uncle James it was just a story passed down to me by my Grandmother. In 2003, I decided to find out the who, what, when, where, and how. It took a while combing through old newspapers but his story was always there I just didn’t know it at the time. His actions at a time when there was no electricity going into a dark house with only a match to have light is heroic. I, as his gg niece am very proud of his service as a Constable and proud to know he is now forever remembered. God bless all who serve our great nation.
Kaye Sass GG Niece April 6th, 2023
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Foster served with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James B. Foster 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 Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. James B. Foster's cause is highlighted.
How James B. Foster Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James B. Foster is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James B. Foster was killed by rifle; musket.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
