Sergeant Roger L. Motley, Opelika Police Department, Alabama

Sergeant Roger L. Motley

Opelika Police Department, Alabama

End of Watch Monday, October 4, 1993

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Roger L. Motley

Sergeant Motley was shot and killed after being notified that a child in the parking lot needed help while he was picking up supplies at a local store. Sergeant Motley located an adult male and the child in a car in the parking lot. As he approached the vehicle the man pulled out a firearm and exchanged gunfire with Sergeant Motley. Both men were wounded in the exchange.

Sergeant Motley took cover in his patrol car and put out an emergency broadcast as his car rolled through the parking lot. The man's female companion, who was on a pay phone at the time of the initial shooting, approached Sergeant Motley's patrol car and shot him several more times. Sergeant Motley was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Both suspects were convicted and sentenced to death. The female suspect was executed on May 10, 2002, and the male suspect was executed on August 4, 2005.

Sergeant Motley had served with the agency for 18 years. He survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 38
Tour 18 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Both executed

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Most Recent Reflection

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I still remember watching this story on TV around 1994 or 1995 as the two killers legal process was being chronicled. I remember then, somewhat of a recent college graduate still a few years of starting my own law enforcement career but every bit as eager and ambitious to get started, feeling the sheer anger at the nonchalant and carefree attitude of these people as they spoke on TV about how they were being wronged for being arrested for taking a LEO’s life and the Officer was the one who was wrong. I’m not sure how common or known the title of “Sovereign Citizen” was then, and I know I was not familiar with it but the sense of entitlement, nonchalant attitude and the disregard for life and laws was absolutely shocking and downright infuriating. Fast forward to today and it’s even worse, with cops being painted as evil thugs and bad people being glamorized and labeled victims. I was only glad to see that the system didn’t fail here and justice was carried out.

Sgt. Motley, rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 4, 2020