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Incident
Patrolman Raiford died from head injuries sustained when an automobile struck his motorcycle while he was on patrol. Patrolman Raiford was transported to the hospital where he died of his injuries two days later.
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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.
Patrolman Raiford gave the Alabama Department of Public Safety 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Raiford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Alabama Department of Public Safety has lost 29 officers; 21 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1937, 1 officer at Alabama Department of Public Safety was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1952, with 2.
In 1937, 1 officer in AL was lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 1937, 95 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1937, 109 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 29. Of the 21 lost to accidents at Alabama Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 39; the middle age was 34. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
William was 29. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 19% of these deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety, more than any other month. Saturdays: 28.6%.
October holds 7.1% of these deaths in AL; July holds the most, 13.2%. Saturdays: 21.4%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 72.4% of all 29 deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Alabama Department of Public Safety has 29 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William Maury Young
Sep 5, 1936
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William D. Raiford, Sr.
Oct 16, 1937
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Arvil O. Hudson
May 18, 1952
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Henry Preston Bryant
Dec 7, 1952
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Julian F. Draughon
Oct 3, 1953
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Howard Milford Brock Nov 8, 1957
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Joe F. Partin Jul 25, 1960
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Anthony Scozzaro
Dec 13, 1961
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Thomas Estes Maxwell Oct 4, 1962
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Raymond M. Carlton, Sr.
Feb 27, 1965
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Randolph G. Glover Jul 19, 1967
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Brooks D. Lawson Jul 31, 1969
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Thomas Odean Gillilan Jul 1, 1970
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Harlan B. Blake Oct 10, 1970
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Ormand Franklin Watkins Apr 11, 1971
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Riley Delano Smith
Dec 17, 1971
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James Buford Robinson
Dec 10, 1972
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Bobby S. Gann
Feb 21, 1974
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Kenyon M. Lassiter
Apr 19, 1974
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Julian Douglas Stuckey
Jun 27, 1974
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Johnnie Earl Booker
Nov 2, 1978
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David E. Temple
Sep 13, 1979
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Simmie L. Jeffries
Dec 21, 1984
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Larry D. Cawyer
May 25, 1985
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Elizabeth S. Cobb
Oct 11, 1987
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Robert William Jones
Nov 3, 1991
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Willis Von Moore
Feb 26, 1996
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Brian Keith Nichols
Feb 17, 2002
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Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II
Jun 16, 2008
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
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