In the winter of 1938, the city of Sheffield, Alabama, lost a dedicated public servant in a violent confrontation. Chief of Police B.B. Cox, a 49-year-old male, was shot and killed on January 24th of that year. After a decade of service with the Sheffield Police Department, his life was cut short while he was attempting to quell a disturbance at a local dance hall.
The evening took a tragic turn when a fight broke out. Chief Cox, in the line of duty, intervened to restore order. It was then that he was fatally wounded by gunfire from a. 45 caliber handgun. Despite suffering a mortal wound, Chief Cox displayed immense bravery and managed to return fire. His shots found their mark, and the individual who had shot him was killed at the scene.
Chief Cox's heroic actions in his final moments ensured that his assailant would not harm anyone else. He was survived by his wife and six children, leaving behind a legacy of courage and sacrifice in the service of his community. As his attacker died at the scene, there were no subsequent arrests, trials, or convictions in connection with the death of Chief B.B. Cox.
