Birmingham Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch: Thursday, December 25, 1980
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 25, 1980
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Edward Alley was shot and killed while apprehending two convenience store robbery suspects.
The shooter was sentenced to life without parole. The shooter had been convicted of robberies in 1976 and was on a work release program. The subject who masterminded the group of robbers was on parole for a life sentence for a previous murder.
Officer Alley and his partner set up the city's first organized black watch programs.
Officer Alley had served with the Birmingham Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents. His father was a police sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department.