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William S. Winn Jr.
Incident
Police Officer William Winn was killed in a motorcycle crash while responding to a fire call. A firetruck hit his motorcycle as they were racing to the call on Bay Street. He was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he died 30 minutes later. Officer Winn was hired to replace Police Officer W. Frank Godbold, who died in a line-of-duty motorcycle crash on March 29, 1929. Officer Winn was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office for seven years. He was survived by his wife and child. His father also served in law enforcement.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Winn gave the Chatham County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William S. Winn Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Chatham County Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 2 officers at Chatham County Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1934, 6 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1934, 91 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1934, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 30. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Chatham County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 56; the middle age was 47. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
William was 30. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 40% of these deaths at Chatham County Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
November holds 9.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Chatham County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Chatham County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William R. Mitchell
Sep 7, 1918
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William Frank Godbold
Mar 28, 1929
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Perry L. Anderson
Oct 27, 1934
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William S. Winn, Jr.
Nov 1, 1934
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John J. O'Riley
Oct 21, 1939
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William M. Sheppard
Jun 9, 1951
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Harry H. Akins
Nov 21, 1962
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Dennis Witherington
Aug 24, 1969
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Daniel Alexander Hodgson
Mar 20, 1976
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Frank A. Kania, Sr.
May 24, 1979
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Doreen E. McCumber
Nov 4, 1988
Where
Military Service
William S. Winn Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit William S. Winn Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Chatham County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
