Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Anthony Mims and Sergeant Larry Russell were shot and killed when they were ambushed while responding to a call.
The suspect, who was intoxicated and had a history of mental illness, had called police at approximately 1245 hours and asked to speak with FBI agents. The suspect then called back minutes later and asked for the police if there were no FBI agents available. When the officers arrived at the scene, they were ambushed and shot several times.
The suspect opened fire on Officer Mims when he arrived at the scene, shooting him several times through the windshield of his patrol car. Sergeant Russell then arrived at the scene, and was shot as he attempted to exit his patrol car. Sergeant Russell was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds a short time later.
The suspect surrendered at the scene and was taken into custody. He was charged with six counts of capital murder. On July 26th, 2007, he plead guilty to five counts of capital murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle. He was sentenced to life without parole.
On August 13, 2007, the suspect was found unconscious in his cell and rushed to a hospital where he died a week later. The autopsy report stated that he died from complications of bronchopneumonia.
Officers Mims had served with the Athens Police Department for 15 years, and is survived by his wife, four children, and one grandchild.
Survivors
Officers Mims had served with the Athens Police Department for 15 years, and is survived by his wife, four children, and one grandchild.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-863EF221- 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.
Officer Mims gave the Athens Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Mims.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Anthony Lee Mims 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 Athens Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Anthony Lee Mims's cause is highlighted.
How Anthony Lee Mims Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Anthony Lee Mims is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Anthony Lee Mims was killed by rifle; 7.62 mm.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
