Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Edward K. Alley, Jr.

Birmingham Police Department, Alabama

End of Watch Thursday, December 25, 1980

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Reflections for Police Officer Edward K. Alley, Jr.

I will always remember Christmas 1980. I was an intern in surgery at UAB. I was on the Transplant service but was called to help in the OR. RIP.

MD
Baptist Louisville

December 25, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Alley.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 26, 2019

I tell my kids and grandkids about you often. Merry Christmas to you my friend! I will never forget.

Former Special Agent Joel Criswell
GBI

December 25, 2017

I did not know Eddie at the time of his death but I was privileged to have met and worked along side his father,E. K. Alley, beginning in 1983. I remember well that Christmas day that Eddie was so brutally murdered and the sadness it brought to all in the Alley Family. I always remember Eddie at Christmas and throughout the year too. His father was a wonderful person who had a very out-going attitude and always had a big smile on his face. And those sparkling eyes of his just twinkled when he talked of his family and wife, Lila. We shared breakfast at Burger King Vestavia for ages and he became a very good friend. I once asked how he could be so happy after such a tragedy and his answer was he knew that being a policeman and helping others was the only job Eddie would ever have wanted and even though his life was cut short he knew where he had gone. I remember that Karen was just a little thing. I never shared with E. K. that on the day of
Eddie's death I along with so many more Alabamaians were crying with and for them, too. Such a tragedy for such a wonderful family. This was their only child. And poor Karen hardly knew the father that loved her so very much. And hats off to Wanda for the strength she grew to rear this lovely young lady! I, too, always remember the Alley family at Christmas.

None just a friend
Friend of family

May 15, 2017

I remember my dad telling me this story when I first told him I wanted to be a police officer. He went to school with Officer Alley. I truly believe he was trying to talk me out of the profession.

Sgt. Tim Burns
Vestavia Hills Special Investigations

Sgt. Tim Burns
Vestavia Hills Police Department

December 25, 2014

I remember that day like no other, My first year out of high school and I was on my way to my grand-parents home. I was sitting at the red light when he stopped the car and my heart still to this very goes out to Officer Alley's family. RIP officer Alley~

Rita Robbins
wittness

December 25, 2014

I was 8 years old when this happened, and the beat you were working was my dad's, Gerald Tucker. I have remembered you as did he often and thank you for being a true hero. The sacrifice you made that day has not been forgotten- especially since my dad was off the day that this happened. I even remember visiting your grave at the cemetery with my dad once. He always had a since of survivor's guilt because you were taking his shift that day. Thank you again for your sacrifice and bravery, and know you are a true hero in my eyes. May you rest in peace.

Cathy Tucker Hopkins
Daughter of Sgt. Gerald Tucker

December 21, 2014

Rookie school classmate, I think about you every Christmas Day. You are still missed brother.

Lieutenant Bill Sorrell
Birmingham Police, retired

December 26, 2013

I think of you often Eddie, and your family and our time that we played football together at Phillip's High School. Rest in peace.

Officer Phillip Johnson
Birmingham Police, Retired

March 26, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 24, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 30, 2009

TODAY WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, BUT I AND THOSE WHO REMEMBER ALSO CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE. I READ A BIBLE PASSAGE AND I THOUGHT OF YOU- I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT,I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH (2TIM.4:7) CONTINUE TO REST YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.

OFFICER THOMAS
A POLICE OFFICER

December 25, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
manchester, NH

December 23, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

July 11, 2007

Well. Its been along time Since this happened and i wasnt but a year and a half old. I remember my parents telling me stories about you. My parents thought you were the greatest my mom still tears up when she tells me about the worst christmas of her life.. Well now I have grown up and became a Police officer at birmingham Just like you. When i told my mom what i was planning on doing 4 years ago. She teared up again, but she told me you would be watching over me. And I know you have been and I thank you.

Please watch over all of us.

Matt

Officer Matt Hutchins
Birmingham Police West Precinct

October 24, 2006

I was a baby when this happened and have since put on a uniform myself. I do not remember you but I am sure you were a lot like your father which I respected very much. I had the pleasure of talking "Police Talk" with your father which was my (Uncle Kenny Baby) before he passed. Every time I saw him your name was brought up. He told me that I have the same spark that you had. I just experienced my first loss of a friend and colleague shot and killed in the line of duty. It is a very trying time but I know that GOD has a plan for everything in life. I look forward to meeting you when I get to heaven....Until then I will always remember the sacrifice you made.

Cpl. Jason Roberts
Montgomery Police Department

October 6, 2006

Rest in Peace, Officer Alley. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

September 25, 2006

I grew up with Eddie and went to school with him until the age of 14 yrs and my family moved away.We had a lot of good times growing up and I think of Eddie often.

walter quick

January 26, 2006

I was just a kid when Officer Ed Alley was murdered, I grew up in East Lake and thought of all the Birmingham Officer's the same. I looked up to them and respected them. Thank you for giving your life for others.

Detective Henry S. Edwards
Bessemer Police Department

February 8, 2005

I WAS AT THE DENNY'S RESTAURANT EATING ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE OFFICER ALLEY WAS SHOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY. I WAS 11 YEARS OLD. MY FATHER PUSHED ME OUT OF THE BENCH SEAT AND RUSHED TO OFFICER ALLEY'S SIDE. MY FATHER TOLD ME THAT HE TOOK OFFICER ALLEY'S TIE OFF AND HELPED CONTROL THE BLEEDING UNTIL EMS COULD ARRIVE. I HAVE REMEMBERED THIS DAY ALL OF MY LIFE.


I REALLY FELT FOR THE FAMILY WHEN I LEARNED THAT HE HAD DIED ON CHRISTMAS DAY LEAVING BEHIND A WIFE AND DAUGHTER. I HOPE HIS FAMILY IS ALIVE AND WELL.

CPL. DAN KEEVER
CARROLLTON POLICE DEPT. GA.

I worked side-by-side with Edward Alley for seven years. Ed was true to the uniform and an individual who set the proper example for others to follow. I visit Ed's gravesite yearly and have done so for the last 22 years. Ed's widow (Wanda) and daughter (karen) are both doing just fine. I (along with many other fellow officers) long for the day when we can once again greet Ed with a smile and firm handshake. I have a picture of Ed on my desk which was taken three days before his untimely death. I look at the picture every single day and think of him.

Bobby Breed

Police Chief Bobby N. Breed
Samford University PD

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