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Incident
Officer Sanford was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to take two men to the police station for questioning after they saw one of them throw a pistol from their car as they pulled up behind them in a drive-in parking lot at 4 a.m. Officer Sanford's partner returned fire striking the gunman three times as he fled the scene. He was apprehended two hours later in Montgomery. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison January 16, 1953. He was paroled August 18, 1963. The man who was with him was not charged. Officer Sanford had only served with the agency for 1 year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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
You barely got started.
Officer Sanford gave the Sylacauga Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Sylacauga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Sanford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sylacauga Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Rex is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Rex is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rex is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rex was 26. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Rex had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Rex was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Rex had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rex was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rex had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Thursdays: 13.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Sylacauga Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.5% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Sylacauga Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Rex among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sylacauga Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
