Prev
Adelbert S. Williams
Incident
Chief Williams was shot and killed while making an arrest at 3:45 a.m. He had caught a suspect loading stolen merchandise into a stolen vehicle. As Chief Williams started to handcuff the suspect a struggle ensued and they exchanged shots. The suspect was killed at the scene. Chief Williams was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds that evening. Chief Williams was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had been with the Gibsonville Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtptte0qr982pbn5edfhf- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Adelbert. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Adelbert is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 Williams gave the Gibsonville Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gibsonville 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
Adelbert S. Williams served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gibsonville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Adelbert is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Adelbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Adelbert 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 1940, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Adelbert was 39. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Adelbert had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Adelbert was 39. 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. Adelbert had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Adelbert was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Adelbert had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Thursdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Gibsonville Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Gibsonville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Adelbert among them.
Military Service
Adelbert S. Williams served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Adelbert S. Williams’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 45-E
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Gibsonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.