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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Elmer Willis was shot and killed while seated in his patrol car during a traffic stop on Pump Station Road. Two subjects opened fire on him, striking him in the back and neck five times. One of the men died in prison while serving his sentence for Deputy Willis' murder. Deputy Willis was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
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. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Elmer 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.
Deputy Sheriff Willis gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Danielsville 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
Elmer Willis served in the U.S. Navy (1969â1971) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elmer is the only officer of Madison County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Elmer is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Elmer is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Elmer 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 1974, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elmer had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elmer had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elmer had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 20.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Military Service
Elmer Willis served in the U.S. Navy (1969–1971) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Elmer Willis’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 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.