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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Miles Coleman succumbed to injuries sustained four days earlier when he and another deputy were beaten by brothers of a prisoner they were transporting.
The brothers attacked the deputies with clubs and brass knuckles and severely beat them both. The other deputy recovered from his injuries.
All three brothers were arrested and convicted of Deputy Coleman's murder. Two were sentenced to life and the other to 20 years. One lifer along with another inmate escaped from prison on December 7, 1908.
Deputy Coleman was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Coleman was survived by his wife and three 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 Coleman served with the Alexander County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cairo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coleman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alexander County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Miles is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Miles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Miles 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 1901, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Miles was 50. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Miles 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.
Miles was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Alexander County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.3% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Alexander County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Miles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alexander County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
