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Incident
Location: Florida Weapon: Rifle; Winchester Offender: Shot and killed
Sheriff Ed McMillan was shot and killed as he and a posse searched for a notorious train robber nicknamed "Railroad Bill." In 1893, Railroad Bill had shot and wounded a deputy sheriff who confronted him about not paying taxes on his weapon. He then fled and spent the next two years illegally riding Alabama freighters, robbing trains, and engaging in gun fights with lawmen.
The subject shot and killed Deputy Sheriff James Stewart, of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in Alabama, on April 6th, 1895.
In July of 1895, Sheriff McMillan received a tip that Railroad Bill was hiding out in Bluff Springs, Florida, and went with a posse to arrest him. As Sheriff McMillan walked along the railroad tracks, the suspect, who was hiding behind a tree, opened fire with a Winchester rifle. Sheriff McMillan was struck in the back and succumbed to his wounds a short time later.
After a long manhunt, Railroad Bill was tracked down to a store near Brewton and fatally shot by a local constable.
Sheriff McMillan was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Sheriff McMillan was survived by his wife.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff McMillan served with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Brewton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ed is the only officer of Escambia County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Ed is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Ed is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ed 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 1895, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 7.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Escambia County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 1% 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 rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
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