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Incident
Chief Wallace was shot and killed while coming to the assistance of two detectives who were struggling with a prisoner at the corner of 3rd Street and 19th Street. The detectives had arrested the man a few blocks away and were walking him to jail when the suspect suddenly began fighting with the two. During the initial arrest one of the detectives had taken a revolver from the man and placed it in his pocket. As the suspect struggled with the detectives he reached inside the pocket and retrieved the revolver. He fired a shot that passed through one of the detective's knee and struck Chief Wallace in the chest just as the chief came to their assistance. Chief Wallace was taken to Elizabeth Duncan Hospital where he died three days later. Before he died he made a statement saying the shooting was an accident. No charges were filed. Chief Wallace had served with the agency for 26 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children and is buried in Clay Memorial Cemetery in Cuba.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Wallace gave the Bessemer Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bessemer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Wallace.
— 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.
Thomas is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 1 officer at Bessemer Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1916, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 51. 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. Thomas had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Thomas had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 51. 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. Thomas had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10% of these deaths at Bessemer Police Department; January holds the most, 10%. Tuesdays: 20%.
February holds 5.2% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% 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 52% of all 33,917 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, Thomas 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 8-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Bessemer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
