Incident
Police Officer John Cunningham was shot and killed while assisting other officers searching for a man who had wounded the Chief of Police and Calhoun County sheriff a short time earlier. The chief and sheriff had attempted to arrest the man at his home for causing a disturbance near a local steel plant. The subject opened fire on them as they approached the house, striking the chief in the hip and the sheriff in his belt buckle, before fleeing. Officer Cunningham was shot by the man when he encountered him in the western portion of the city at approximately 4:00 pm. Another officer returned fire and wounded the subject. The 30-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder, sentenced to 50 years, and sent to a convict work camp at the Maxine Coal Mine in Jefferson County. On April 20th, 1920, he was killed when a load of rocks fell on him. Officer Cunningham had served with the Anniston Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Cunningham gave the Anniston Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Anniston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cunningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Anniston Police Department has lost 15 officers; 13 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 1911, 2 officers at Anniston Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1914, with 4.
In 1911, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 32. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Anniston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 42. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 32. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 32. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 32. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 15.4% of these deaths at Anniston Police Department; February holds the most, 15.4%. Sundays: 15.4%.
June holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Sundays: 15.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Anniston Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 15.4% 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
Anniston Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John L. Cunningham
Jun 25, 1911
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S. C. Zaner Aug 4, 1911
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Harry Shiretzki
May 23, 1914
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J. W. Dashwood Sep 12, 1914
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Will Dillard
Sep 12, 1914
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Jack Holland
Dec 22, 1914
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Clarence B. Kettles
Feb 1, 1915
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Marion Screws Feb 2, 1915
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Joe Holliday Apr 26, 1922
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Brice Hurst Apr 26, 1922
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Robert Allen Draper Jan 27, 1927
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Grady Todd Aug 2, 1936
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Hoyt Holder
May 22, 1938
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Ralph M. Griffin
Jun 19, 1954
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Justin David Sollohub
Aug 25, 2011
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Anniston Police Department are honored on badge.nw.






