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Middleton Pierce Harwell
Incident
Location: Georgia Weapon: Handgun; .41 caliber Offender: Died in prison
Special Officer Middleton Harwell was shot and killed when he surprised two men attempting to break into a railroad freight car under the Forsyth Street Viaduct in the Western and Atlantic Railroad yards. He was moving between two railroad cards when he was shot twice in the back of the head and killed. Nearby railroad workers heard the shots and discovered his body, still clutching his revolver.
A month later two men sold a large amount of tobacco to a local store owner. Police and a railroad detective discovered the same amount of tobacco had been stolen from a freight car the previous night. The two were arrested and jailed. Two months later one of the men told jail officials his partner shot and killed Officer Harwell as they were breaking into the freight car. His partner admitted that he fired the fatal shot. On October 25, 1905, both were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On August 4, 1906, one, 32, was shot and killed by a guard when he tried to escape. The other subject, 26, died in prison on January 29, 1907.
Officer Harwell had served with the Western and Atlantic Railroad Police for at least 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Special Officer Harwell gave the Western and Atlantic Railroad Police 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Harwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Middleton is the only officer of Western and Atlantic Railroad Police remembered here.
Middleton is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Middleton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Middleton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 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
Middleton was 53. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Middleton had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Middleton was 53. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Middleton had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Middleton was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Middleton had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Western and Atlantic Railroad Police. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .41 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Western and Atlantic Railroad Police are honored on badge.nw.