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Incident
Sergeant Haralson and Trooper James Young, of the Georgia State Patrol, were shot and killed by a suspect who had managed to gain control of Trooper Young's service weapon. Trooper Young had arrested the man and brought him to the Cordele Police Department for a breath test when the suspect attacked the trooper. The suspect was later apprehended and sentenced to life but served only 14 years. Sergeant Haralson had been with the agency for 15 years and was survived by his wife and three children, one of whom went on to become a law enforcement officer as well. The younger Haralson spent 11 years as a police officer before being tapped by Governor Joe Frank Harris in 1988 to serve as sheriff of Crisp County. Sergeant Haralson's son served in law enforcement for 37 years and held a number of executive positions in the Georgia law enforcement community including tenure as president of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, which named him the 2010 Georgia Sheriff of the Year.
Survivors
Sergeant Haralson had been with the agency for 15 years and was survived by his wife and three children, one of whom went on to become a law enforcement officer as well.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Willis is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Haralson gave the Cordele Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cordele community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Haralson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Willis Richardson Haralson served in the U.S. Army (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cordele Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Willis is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Willis 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 1975, 5 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willis was 50. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Willis had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willis was 50. 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. Willis had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willis was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willis had served 15 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%. Sundays: 16.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Cordele Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 6.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Cordele Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Willis among them.
Military Service
Willis Richardson Haralson served in the U.S. Army (1944–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Willis Richardson Haralson’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 48-E
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cordele Police Department are honored on badge.nw.