Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Francis Alford was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was shooting his guns in the air near a picnic in Birchwood.
Deputy Alford deputized a citizen to help him arrest the man. As they approached him the man shot Deputy Alford in the head, killing him. The man was arrested after engaging in a shootout with the deputized civilian.
The man was convicted of Deputy Alford's murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-5C83DC64- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Alford served with the James County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ooltewah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Alford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Francis Marion Alford 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At James County Sheriff's Office, 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. Francis Marion Alford's cause is highlighted.
How Francis Marion Alford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis Marion Alford is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis Marion Alford was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from James County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
