Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Read was shot and killed while responding to assist other officers as a prisoner attempted to escape from the police department. The prisoner shot Patrolman Read with a shotgun he had gained control of at the police station. The suspect was shot and killed by a dispatcher moments later.
Survivors
Patrolman Read was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-C5C1E672- 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.
Patrolman Read served with the Saraland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Saraland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Read.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Norman Lee Read 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 Saraland Police Dept., 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Norman Lee Read's cause is highlighted.
How Norman Lee Read Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norman Lee Read is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norman Lee Read was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Saraland Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
