Birmingham Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch: Sunday, May 4, 1969
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 4, 1969
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Azell Harris was shot and killed while moonlighting at a local freight line warehouse at 4th Avenue and 3rd Street North in Birmingham.
An employee informed him that two men were stealing lawn mowers from the warehouse docks and loading them in their car. When Officer Harris confronted the suspects a shootout ensued and Officer Harris was mortally wounded.
The suspects 23, and 29, were apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. In 1972 their sentences were commuted to life when the U.S. Supreme Court declared the death penalty unconstitutional.
Officer Harris had served with the Birmingham Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.