Police Officer

James M. Early

Birmingham Police Department — Birmingham, AL
Felonious
End of Watch April 15, 1935
The Vigil Panel 69 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer James Early was shot and killed by a burglary suspect that he and several other officers were attempting to arrest. The suspect barricaded himself inside a garage for over an hour. Officer Early was shot five times and killed and a police captain was wounded during the shootout. The suspect surrendered after running out of ammunition. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on February 25, 1967.

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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 Early served with the Birmingham Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Early.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL
Platform Identity birmpd.jefferson.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 15, 1935
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Birmingham Police Department has 49 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years

Police Officer James M. Early

Birmingham Police Department · End of Watch April 15, 1935

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-W

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