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Incident
Town Marshal Dock Willis succumbed to his wounds when he was shot in downtown Milan on April 16, 1922, in retaliation for an arrest the night before.
Sometime in the early afternoon, Marshal Willis was in front of a drugstore engaging with a citizen. He was approached by three brothers, one of them opening fire, shooting him three times. While on the ground, he returned fire and struck the shooter in the leg.
Marshal Willis was transported to a hospital in Macon to recover. He died of his wounds on May 9, 1922, twenty-three days later.
The shooter had been arrested the night before for drunkenness by Marshal Willis. He was released the next morning, believing that he had sobered up. After the shooting, the brothers were arrested for murder. The shooter was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. The other two brothers were charged, but their status is unknown.
Marshal Willis had served as marshal of Milan for just over five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Willis served with the Milan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Milan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Willis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Milan Police Department remembered here.
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 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1922, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 47. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. William had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. 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. William had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Milan Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 15.3% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Milan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.