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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Taylor was shot and killed during an attempted jailbreak. The brother and two acquaintances of a prisoner in the jail had come to break him out. Deputy Taylor was sitting in his patrol car next to the county jail when three men who were approaching him suddenly opened fire with a shotgun and a pistol. He was shot several times and died instantly. The suspects fled from the scene after they failed to free a prisoner who was the brother of one of the suspects and was in jail for murder. Two suspects were captured the next day. The other suspect was apprehended by FBI agents in Nashville, Tennessee, six months later. Two suspects were convicted of Deputy Taylor's murder. One was sentenced to death, but later his sentence was commuted to life. The second suspect was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The third suspect was convicted of manslaughter. Deputy Taylor had served with the Winston County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Taylor gave the Winston County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Double Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Winston County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1982, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 50. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 50. 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. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Winston County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% 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
Winston County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Winston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
