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Incident
Sheriff Martin Stegall was shot and killed by a man he was attempting to arrest for the murder of a woman on Broad Street in Bainbridge.
Sheriff Stegall, who was nearby when the shooting occurred, approached the suspect to make the arrest, when without warning the suspect turned and shot him through the chest. As Sheriff Stegall fell he shot the suspect through his shoulder. The suspect was captured minutes later.
Later that night a mob of more than 300 men stormed the county jail, seized the suspect, and hanged him from the Flint River Bridge.
Sheriff Stegall was survived by his wife and six children. He is buried in Oak City Cemetery in Bainbridge, Georgia.
Survivors
Sheriff Stegall was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Stegall served with the Decatur County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bainbridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Stegall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Decatur County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Martin is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Martin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Martin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1905, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Martin was 45. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Martin was 45. 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.
Martin was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 5.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Decatur County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 15.3% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Decatur County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Martin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Decatur County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
