Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Sanford was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to take two men to the police station for questioning after they saw one of them throw a pistol from their car as they pulled up behind them in a drive-in parking lot at 4 a.m. Officer Sanford's partner returned fire striking the gunman three times as he fled the scene. He was apprehended two hours later in Montgomery. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison January 16, 1953. He was paroled August 18, 1963. The man who was with him was not charged. Officer Sanford had only served with the agency for 1 year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-A6BEF40E- 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
You barely got started.
Officer Sanford gave the Sylacauga Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Sylacauga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Sanford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Rex A. Sanford 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 Sylacauga Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Rex A. Sanford's cause is highlighted.
How Rex A. Sanford Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1963
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rex A. Sanford is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rex A. Sanford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sylacauga Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
