On a spring evening in Montgomery, Alabama, Police Officer Raymond Mathis was on duty, a dedicated guardian of the city. At 36 years of age, he was a male officer serving his community. That fateful night, on Thursday, April 30, 1936, Officer Mathis and a fellow officer were dispatched to a residence at 820 High Street. Their objective was to question a man who had recently been released from a chain gang.
As the two officers arrived on their motorcycles, they observed the subject of
their inquiry sitting on the front porch. Upon seeing the officers, the man hastily rose and retreated into the house. In a coordinated effort, Officer Mathis approached the front of the house while his partner went to cover the back door, anticipating the man might try to flee. Shortly after they took their positions, a single gunshot rang out.
The second officer rushed to the front of the house to investigate the source of the shot. There, he discovered a tragic scene. Officer Raymond Mathis was lying on the floor, having sustained a fatal bullet wound to his neck. His service weapon was still secured in its holster, and his cap and searchlight lay nearby, indicating he likely had no opportunity to defend himself. The shooter had vanished without a trace.
For a year, the identity and whereabouts of Officer Mathis's killer remained a mystery. Then, a break in the case led authorities to Stockton, California, where the suspect was apprehended. Following his arrest, the man was brought back to Alabama to face justice. He was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Officer Raymond Mathis. The court sentenced him to life in prison for his crime. On August 11, 1944, the convicted murderer was denied parole, ensuring he would remain behind bars for the killing of the dedicated officer.
