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Incident
Officer Manning was shot and killed at a suspect's home while attempting to serve a warrant. The suspect had threatened to kill another man earlier in the day and was armed with a Winchester rifle. Officer Manning and two other officers went to the man's shack and called out to him to come out. The man stated he was looking for a match to light a lantern. After a few moments the man opened the door and asked Officer Manning for a match. Officer Manning gave the man a match and the man closed the door and lit the light. A few moments later he opened the door again and as Officer Manning stepped inside the man shot him in the chest with the Winchester rifle, killing him instantly. The other officers returned fire but the suspect was able to escape the scene. The man was arrested and charged with Officer Manning's murder. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging on May 9, 1890. Officer Manning had served with the agency for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, parents, brothers, and sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Manning gave the Bessemer Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Bessemer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bessemer Police Department has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1889, 1 officer at Bessemer Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1889, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1889, 46 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1889, 48 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 26. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Bessemer Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 47; the middle age was 42. John had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
John was 26. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. John had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10% of these deaths at Bessemer Police Department; January holds the most, 10%. Fridays: 20%.
April holds 8.1% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Bessemer Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Bessemer Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John Riley Manning
Apr 5, 1889
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John J. Flowers Aug 28, 1902
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Harmon Barton Patridge
Jan 6, 1911
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Frank Childress Nov 7, 1912
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Samuel Ulysses Spence
Sep 15, 1913
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Thomas Benjamin Wallace Feb 29, 1916
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J. Carl Goodwin Jun 15, 1918
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Rufus Shelley Kendrick
Jul 10, 1945
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Clifford Thomas Hill
May 2, 1979
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Tommy Lee Thedford
Oct 1, 1981
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Bessemer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
