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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Foster was shot and killed by a suspect he was attempting to arrest for the theft of chickens.
Deputy Foster, along with two other deputies who had an arrest warrant for the suspect, went to the suspect's mother-in-law's house, where he was thought to be. The house was approximately one to two miles north of Rogersville. They arrived at the house near midnight, and on demanding admittance, the suspect's mother-in-law said he was not home. They told her they would search the house, and after some parleying, they entered. Upon entering the house, Deputy Foster struck a match, holding it over his head to see.
At this point, the suspect shot the deputy with a musket at close range, a load of shots striking him in the side. Deputy Foster fell, and the suspect rushed out of the house and escaped in the darkness, followed by a number of shots by the deputies. Deputy Foster walked a few feet and fell dead.
Deputy Foster had been specially deputized to arrest the theft suspect.
The man who shot him was convicted of Deputy Constable Foster's murder and sentenced to death. The United States Supreme Court reversed the verdict and returned the case to the lower court for trial, where he was convicted again and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison three years later.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Foster served with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 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 1895, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 25. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. James had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 25. 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 had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.1% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle; musket, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; musket, in 0.2% 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; musket, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; musket, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
