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Fallen Officers Honored; One Sheriff Killed In North Escambia’s Past
May 7, 2010
Law enforcement officers who have died in the line duty were honored Thursday morning by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Over 25 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in Escambia County, including a sheriff shot to death in North Escambia.
Since 1923, 11 Escambia County deputies have died in the line of duty. Another 13 Pensacola Police Department Officers have been killed since 1889 and one constable was killed on duty in 1955.
An Escambia County, Alabama, sheriff was shot and killed in North Escambia near Bluff Springs on July 3, 1895.
Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff E.S. McMillan was shot and killed as he and a posse searched for the notorious train robber nicknamed “Railroad Bill.” In 1893, Railroad Bill had shot and wounded a deputy sheriff who confronted him at a Bluff Springs home about not paying taxes on his weapon. He then fled and spent the next two years illegally riding Alabama freighters, robbing trains, and engaging in gun fights with lawmen.
In July of 1895, Sheriff McMillan (pictured) received a tip that Railroad Bill was hiding out in Bluff Springs, Florida, and went with a posse to arrest him. As Sheriff McMillan walked along the railroad tracks, the suspect, who was hiding behind a tree, opened fire with a Winchester rifle. Sheriff McMillan was struck and succumbed to his wounds a short time later. Railroad Bill was later gunned down by a host of law enforcement officers.
McMillan is the only officer from Escambia County, Alabama, to ever die in the line of duty.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (right) addresses a group Thursday morning gathered to honor fallen law enforcement officers. Pictured top inset: A wreath at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Fallen Officers Memorial. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
3 Responses to “Fallen Officers Honored; One Sheriff Killed In North Escambia’s Past”
Thank you for the link, William.
After I read the story, I clicked on it. I know many of the officers listed in the Officer Down Memorial. I served with a few of them, attended the academy with others, and some I just knew. I hung it up after 14 years and now work in the private sector; but I remember.
I wrote a note to the Memorial website regarding Deputy Copeland; I knew and served with him for much of his career. Maybe former Sheriff Hawsey will help in getting David recognized for his service.
I seem to remember an Alabama State Trooper who was killed on the causeway in Mobile County a few years ago, too. His name wasn’t on the list, but I am unclear of the facts. Maybe a fellow officer will remember and help get this man recognized for his service, as well.
In this day and time of seemingly only bad news getting out, let’s appreciate the ‘good ones’ who serve quietly and loyally and remember the ones who served to the last moment.
Thanks, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Local Yocal –
I”m not at all disputing what you said about Deputy Copeland. The source for the article was the Officer Down Memorial Page:
http://www.odmp.org/agency/5373-escambia-county-sheriffs-office-alabama
This only lists Sheriff McMillan.
The Officer Down program does recognize heart attacks in the line of duty (there were two in Escambia County, Fla., for instance) Maybe someone could work to have Deputy Copeland honored by Officer Down and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
William,
Correction- McMillian is the only officer from Escambia County Alabama, that has been KILLED in the line of duty. Deputy David Copeland suffered a fatal heart attack while engaged with a unruly and combative suspect while on duty at the Frosty Acres Lounge on Hwy 21in the late 1990s ( around 1998-1999). We ( his fellow officers at the time) considered David had died in the line of duty as the the altercation contributed to his death.