In the fall of 1981, a Bessemer police officer's life was tragically cut short, leaving a lasting impact on his community. Tommy L. Thedford, a 37-year-old Black/African American male, served on the Bessemer Police Department for 12 years. On October 1, 1981, while on duty, he was involved in a stakeout at 31st Street and Dartmouth Avenue, assisting two women in the recovery of stolen jewelry.
It was there that he encountered a burglary suspect.
As Officer Thedford questioned the man, the situation quickly escalated. The suspect began to walk away, then abruptly turned and drew a gun, pointing it at the officer. Before Thedford could react and draw his own weapon, he was shot in the head. The gunman then fled the scene. Thedford was rushed to Lloyd Noland Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 5:18 p.m. He was survived by his wife and four children.
The man responsible for Officer Thedford's death was identified as Ed Harrell, Jr. He was a convicted felon who had recently been released from prison after serving a fraction of a sentence for second-degree murder and had a history of arrests for burglary. Following the shooting, Harrell was apprehended and charged with capital murder for the killing of an on-duty police officer. Initially, Harrell claimed the shooting was accidental, but this statement was not presented to the jury. He first pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but later changed his plea to not guilty after a psychiatric evaluation found no basis for an insanity defense.
During the trial, a jury found Harrell guilty of the capital offense. In a vote of eleven to one, the jury recommended a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, the trial judge overruled the jury's recommendation. After considering the evidence and a pre-sentencing report, the judge sentenced Ed Harrell, Jr. to death by electrocution for the murder of Officer Tommy L. Thedford. Harrell's conviction and sentence were later affirmed by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
