Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Roger Motley was shot and killed after being notified that a child in the parking lot needed help while he was picking up supplies at 2900 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika. Sergeant Motley located an adult male and the child in a car in the parking lot. As he approached the vehicle, the man pulled out a firearm and exchanged gunfire with Sergeant Motley. Both men were wounded in the exchange. Sergeant Motley took cover in his patrol car and put out an emergency broadcast as his car rolled through the parking lot. The man's female companion, who was on a pay phone at the time of the initial shooting, approached Sergeant Motley's patrol car and shot him several more times. Sergeant Motley was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. Both suspects, who had failed to appear in court for assault charges, were convicted and sentenced to death. The female suspect was executed on May 10, 2002, and the male suspect was executed on August 4, 2005. Sergeant Motley had served with the Opelika Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-79AC7AD4- 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.
Sergeant Motley gave the Opelika Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Opelika community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Motley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Roger L. Motley 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 Opelika Police Dept., 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. Roger L. Motley's cause is highlighted.
How Roger L. Motley Compares
Offender Outcome
Both executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roger L. Motley is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roger L. Motley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Opelika Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
