Sergeant Albert Eugene Ballard

Albert Eugene Ballard

Sergeant Albert Ballard was shot and killed by a bank robbery suspect at 2nd Avenue and 19th Street North in downtown Birmingham.

Sergeant Ballard was on patrol when he pulled to the curb and called a potential suspect over to his patrol car. The suspect shot Sergeant Ballard at point-blank range, killing him. The suspect was pursued by Birmingham officers and U.S. Marshals and was shot after firing at two officers.

The suspect was wanted in connection to another bank robbery in Atlanta. The handgun used against Sergeant Ballard was the same handgun that was taken from a slain Atlanta bank guard. On May 25, 1985, after three mistrials, the suspect was convicted of murdering Sergeant Ballard and sentenced to life without parole.

Sergeant Ballard had served with the Birmingham Police Department for 20 years and was killed two days before he was to retire. He is survived by his wife and two children.