James Tillman Moser

Birmingham Police Dept. — Birmingham, AL

Felonious

End of Watch January 31, 1939

The Vigil Panel 75 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 48

Incident

Detective Moser was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had escaped from death row.

During the arrest the suspect was able to gain control of Detective Moser's service weapon. The suspect then opened fire, killing Detective Moser.

The suspect was convicted of murder and executed on June 14, 1940.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-576B0930
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 James. 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.
Detective Moser served with the Birmingham Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Moser.

— 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 January 31, 1939

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Executed in 1940

Detective James Tillman Moser 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