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Incident
Police Officer Rufus Shelley Kendrick was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for assaulting a woman. Officer Kendrick was off duty when he saw the suspect standing in an alley. He parked his car, leaving his 5-year-old son inside, and walked into the alley to arrest the suspect. A few moments later, the suspect shot Officer Kendrick several times. The suspect, 22, was adjudged insane and committed at the state mental hospital. Officer Kendrick had served with the Bessemer Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two 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 Kendrick gave the Bessemer Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bessemer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kendrick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bessemer Police Department has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Rufus is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rufus 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 1945, 1 officer at Bessemer Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1945, 1 officer in AL was killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1945, 70 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 108th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rufus was 44. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Bessemer Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 47; the middle age was 42. Rufus had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Rufus was 44. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Rufus had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Rufus was 44. 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. Rufus had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rufus was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rufus had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10% of these deaths at Bessemer Police Department; January holds the most, 10%. Tuesdays: 20%.
July holds 7.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Bessemer Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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
Bessemer Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Rufus among them.
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John Riley Manning
Apr 5, 1889
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John J. Flowers Aug 28, 1902
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Harmon Barton Patridge
Jan 6, 1911
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Frank Childress Nov 7, 1912
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Samuel Ulysses Spence
Sep 15, 1913
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Thomas Benjamin Wallace Feb 29, 1916
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J. Carl Goodwin Jun 15, 1918
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Rufus Shelley Kendrick
Jul 10, 1945
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Clifford Thomas Hill
May 2, 1979
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Tommy Lee Thedford
Oct 1, 1981
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Bessemer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
