Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Graham was shot and killed while investigating shots fired near his boarding house.
He was found the next day with a gunshot wound and a crushed skull.
The two subjects who were arrested confessed. While in custody, they were taken from their jail cells by a mob and hanged. Sixteen men were indicted for killing the subjects, but when the first two were found not guilty, all charges were dropped.
Officer Graham had only served with the Sheffield Police Department for a few months.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service (Retired) January 6th, 2023
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AL-F8BD1EB5- 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.
Police Officer Graham served with the Sheffield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sheffield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Graham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Graham 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 Sheffield Police Department, 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. John Graham's cause is highlighted.
How John Graham Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Graham is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Graham was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Sheffield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
