Incident
Police Officer William Montgomery was shot and killed at police headquarters by a subject who was seeking revenge for being arrested for public intoxication earlier in the evening.
The subject had come back to the police department with the intent of shooting the captain who had arrested him, but instead shot Officer Montgomery.
The suspect was adjudged insane and sent to an insane asylum in Tuscaloosa. After six months he was adjudged sane and charged with murder. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Officer Montgomery had served with the Montgomery Police Department for three years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Montgomery gave the Montgomery Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Montgomery community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Montgomery Police Department has lost 28 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1886, 2 officers at Montgomery Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 3.
In 1886, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 24. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Montgomery Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 36; the middle age was 30. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
William was 24. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 24. 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. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 6.3% of these deaths at Montgomery Police Department; October holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 28 deaths at Montgomery Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Montgomery Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William D. Montgomery Aug 24, 1886
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John Robert Pugh
Oct 11, 1886
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John F. Suggs Feb 15, 1896
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T. Walter Berrey
Oct 5, 1910
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Milton Goocher Mar 1, 1918
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Earl Davis Jun 1, 1919
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John B. Barbaree
Sep 29, 1919
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George Luther Berrey
Oct 19, 1919
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Albert W. Sansom Sep 28, 1922
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Rexford C. Wright Aug 22, 1929
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Andrew O. Brassington Apr 1, 1936
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Raymond Mathis Apr 30, 1936
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Marion C. Stalnaker Oct 1, 1950
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James D. Sanford Sep 20, 1961
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Samuel D. Sumner
Nov 5, 1967
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George Willard McGaughey
Mar 15, 1975
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William Evans Noble
May 5, 1976
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Robert C. Ussery
Jul 21, 1978
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Mary Pearl McCord
Jan 5, 1982
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James Russell Ward
Oct 3, 1994
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Willie Henry Pryor Jan 22, 1995
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Anderson Gordon, III
Sep 24, 1997
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Keith Edwin Houts
Sep 30, 2006
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Kenneth Armstrong
Aug 17, 2007
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Joshuah Patrick Broadway
Jan 25, 2009
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David Lee Colley
Apr 4, 2015
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Carlos Edward Taylor
Jun 30, 2023
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David M. Hathcock
Feb 22, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
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