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Incident
Town Marshal William Gibson succumbed to a stab wound received while arresting two inebriated subjects who were causing a disturbance.
A father and son were drinking while getting groceries in a local store. The store owner said that he would make sure the men got home okay, but the subjects continued to cause a disturbance and talk disparagingly about Marshal Gibson. He went and deputized a local citizen to help him arrest the men. While patting down the son for weapons, the father pushed him away, and the son stabbed Marshal Gibson with a knife. Both men were immediately arrested and charged with assault.
Marshal Gibson went home to recover from his wound but succumbed to his injuries 27 days later.
The son was found guilty of murder and sent to prison. He escaped in 1919, and his whereabouts are unknown.
Marshal Gibson served with the Mount Airy Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Gibson served with the Mount Airy Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Airy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Gibson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mount Airy Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 63. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 63. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Fridays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Mount Airy Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Mount Airy Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mount Airy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
