Tommy Lee Thedford

Police Officer Tommy Thedford was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect following a stakeout at 31st Street and Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer at 4:00 p.m. Officer Thedford was helping two women recover stolen jewelry. When Officer Thedford questioned the subject, the man started to walk away, but quickly turned around and pointed a gun at Officer Thedford. Before Officer Thedford could draw his gun, the man shot him in the head and fled. Officer Thedford was transported to Lloyd Noland Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 5:18 p.m. The suspect was a convicted killer recently released from prison. He had served two years of a 12-year sentence for second-degree murder. Since 1966, he had been arrested for burglary ten times. He was also under indictment for attempted murder since his release. He was convicted of Officer Thedford's murder and sentenced to death. Officer Thedford had served with the Bessemer Police Department for 12 years.