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Incident
Chief of Police Milwood Stokes was shot and killed following a high-speed chase through town. He and a city councilman were sitting in his patrol car when they observed a truck speed past them. They attempted to stop the truck and pursued it until it came to a stop at a home. As Chief Stokes approached, the man opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with birdshot, fatally wounding Chief Stokes. The councilman was wounded by shrapnel. The suspect was taken into custody shortly thereafter. He was convicted of murdering Chief Stokes and sentenced to life in prison. Chief Stokes was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Whigham Police Department for two years and the Attapulgus Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. Milwood is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Stokes gave the Whigham Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Whigham community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Milwood L. Stokes served in the U.S. Army (1954â1969) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Milwood is the only officer of Whigham Police Department remembered here.
Milwood is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Milwood is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Milwood 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 1980, 10 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Milwood was 50. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Milwood had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Milwood 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. Milwood had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Milwood was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Milwood had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Whigham Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 8.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
Milwood L. Stokes served in the U.S. Army (1954–1969) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Milwood L. Stokes’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 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Whigham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.