In the small town of Arab, Alabama, a long-serving lawman met a violent and untimely end. William Richard 'Billy' Coleman, a 72-year-old White male, had dedicated over 35 years of his life to law enforcement, serving with both the Marshall County Sheriff's Office and the Guntersville Police Department. In his later years, he took on the role of Night Policeman in Arab, a position that would ultimately lead to his tragic death.
The series of events that culminated in Coleman's murder
began on August 13, 1943, when he confronted a man for driving recklessly through the town. This seemingly routine act of enforcing the law set in motion a fatal course of retaliation. The following day, on August 14, 1943, the man he had reprimanded, along with three of his family members, decided to take matters into their own hands.
In a brazen act of violence, the four men ambushed Policeman Coleman in front of the Arab Billiard Parlor. They shot the elderly officer multiple times and, to add insult to fatal injury, stole his service revolver. The community was left in shock and mourning for the loss of a man who had been a dedicated protector for decades.
Following the cold-blooded murder, law enforcement acted swiftly. The four family members involved in the ambush were apprehended and faced the full force of the law. All four were charged with first-degree murder. The primary suspect, the man who had been confronted for his reckless driving, was convicted for his role in the killing and sentenced to life in prison. However, the story did not end there. In a move that sparked controversy, he was pardoned in January of 1951. This pardon, among others, drew the attention of the Alabama Legislature, which launched an investigation into what they deemed to be unjust decisions by the pardon and parole board. William Richard 'Billy' Coleman was laid to rest in the First Baptist Union Grove Church Cemetery in Union Grove, Marshall County, Alabama, leaving behind a legacy of service and a community forever marked by his violent death.
