James Tillman Moser
Agency patch
Detective

James Tillman Moser

Birmingham Police Department — Birmingham, AL
Felonious
End of Watch January 31, 1939
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Moser was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had escaped from death row.

During the arrest the suspect was able to gain control of Detective Moser's service weapon. The suspect then opened fire, killing Detective Moser.

The suspect was convicted of murder and executed on June 14, 1940.

In Our Keeping

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

— 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 January 31, 1939
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 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 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

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

Across the years

Detective James Tillman Moser

Birmingham Police Department · End of Watch January 31, 1939

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W

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