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Incident
Police Officer Wilson Coleman was shot and killed as he was standing on the steps of his boarding house at 51st Street and Gary Avenue in Fairfield around 5:00 a.m. Officer Coleman was on duty and had just woken up another officer who was also staying at the boarding house. The officer was en route to join him on the steps when he heard gunfire. Officer Coleman was found with a gunshot to his head at the stairwell landing. A motive was never determined, and a suspect was never apprehended. Officer Coleman had served with the Fairfield Police Department for only two days.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Coleman served with the Fairfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Coleman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fairfield Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Wilson is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Wilson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilson is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wilson was 53. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Wilson had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Wilson was 53. 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. Wilson had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wilson was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Wilson had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Fairfield Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Fairfield Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Wilson among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Fairfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
