In the summer of 1911, a tragic event unfolded in Anniston, Alabama, forever marking a dark day for the city's law enforcement. On Sunday, June 25th, Police Officer John L. Cunningham, a 32-year-old man, lost his life in the line of duty. A seven-year veteran of the Anniston Police Department, he was a husband and a father to five sons.
The day's turmoil began earlier when the Chief of Police and the Calhoun County Sheriff attempted to arrest a man for causing a disturbance near a local steel plant. As the two lawmen approached the man's home, he opened fire on them. The police chief was struck in the hip, and a bullet hit the sheriff's belt buckle, before the assailant fled the scene. A search for the armed man was immediately launched, and Officer Cunningham joined the effort to bring him to justice.
It was in the western part of the city, at approximately 4:00 pm, that Officer Cunningham encountered the suspect. In a fatal confrontation, the man shot and killed Officer Cunningham. Another officer on the scene returned fire, wounding the perpetrator. The suspect, a 30-year-old man, was taken into custody following the shootout.
The man responsible for Officer Cunningham's death was subsequently convicted of second-degree murder and received a 50-year sentence. He was sent to a convict work camp at the Maxine Coal Mine in Jefferson County. His life came to an end on April 20th, 1920, when a load of rocks fell on him, bringing a final and somber close to the chapter of Officer John L. Cunningham's untimely death.
