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Incident
Officer Langford was shot and killed while responding with another officer to a club at the corner of 20th Street and 30th Avenue where there was a report of a man brandishing a pistol. As soon as the officers entered the suspect opened fire with an automatic pistol killing Officer Langford. The suspect was apprehended several days later in Toledo, Ohio. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1980 and returned to prison in 1988 for violating his parole. He died in prison on July 28, 2008.
Survivors
Officer Langford was survived by his wife and four-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Langford served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscaloosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Langford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tuscaloosa Police Department has lost 12 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1954, 1 officer at Tuscaloosa Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1952, with 2.
In 1954, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 40. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Tuscaloosa Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.8 and 43.3; the middle age was 40.
James was 40. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
James was 40. 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.
James was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 33.3% of these deaths at Tuscaloosa Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 22.2%.
May holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 12 deaths at Tuscaloosa Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.2% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Tuscaloosa Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James A. Mansfield
Nov 20, 1912
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Wil G. Thrower Aug 30, 1914
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Kenneth Thompson Dec 12, 1923
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A. Claud Snider Sep 30, 1932
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Homer F. Hubbard May 10, 1952
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J. Foster King
May 10, 1952
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James C. Langford May 14, 1954
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Roy Buford Blount
Jun 28, 1969
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John Charles Thomas
Dec 10, 1972
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Harold Loyd Thorne, Jr. Apr 25, 2005
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Trevor Scott Phillips
May 21, 2011
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Dornell Cousette
Sep 16, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Tuscaloosa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
