Joseph Littleton Edwards

Dallas County Sheriff's Office — Selma, AL

Felonious

End of Watch April 28, 1901

Age 46

The Vigil Panel 17 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Joseph Edwards was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man who was wanted for stealing a cow.

He was transporting another prisoner to Selma along the Benton Road when he stopped at a home near Soapstone Creek. He believed the wanted person was inside of the home and knocked on the door. The person inside refused to open the door and demanded that Deputy Edwards leave. A citizen who was assisting Deputy Edwards with the prisoner transport also attempted to convince the occupant to open the door so that Deputy Edwards could serve the warrant.

After several attempts to have the occupant let them in, Deputy Edwards forced the door open. As he did so the man inside shot him in the chest with a Winchester rifle, killing him instantly. The man was later arrested and charged with murder. The man was convicted of second-degree murder in 1903 but the judge immediately set the conviction aside and the charges were nolle prossed.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service May 17th, 2021

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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.
Deputy Sheriff Edwards served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Selma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Edwards.

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

Agency

Department Dallas County Sheriff's Office

Location Selma, AL

Platform Identity dcso.dallas.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 28, 1901

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Rifle; Winchester

Offender Charges nolle prossed

Deputy Sheriff Joseph Littleton Edwards 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 Dallas County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Dallas County Sheriff's Office

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious