Incident
Officer O'Riley was killed while transporting a prisoner on the Coastal Highway just south of Savannah. The prisoner grabbed the steering wheel causing the truck they were in to crash into a tree. Officer O'Riley was killed and the prisoner was seriously injured. Officer O'Riley had served with the agency for 16 years.
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.
Police Officer O'Riley gave the Chatham County Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer O'Riley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Chatham County Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1939, 1 officer at Chatham County Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1939, 1 officer in GA was lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1939, 61 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 72nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1939, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 56. 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. John had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
John was 56. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. John had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 56. 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. John had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 56. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 40% of these deaths at Chatham County Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 40%.
October holds 6.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Chatham County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 20% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Chatham County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, John 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Chatham County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









