Incident
Town Marshal Matt Willard was shot and killed from ambush as he stood in a cotton patch in the outskirts of Flovilla at an early morning hour. Bloodhounds led the Butts County Sheriff to the home of a man who was arrested and charged with his murder.
Town Marshal Willard had problems with the suspect for several years. The suspect maintained that he was innocent even though there was a witness to the crime. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison February 27, 1913. He was paroled on April 21, 1921. On August 25, 1932, he was killed by a freight train in Flovilla. Officials think he fell asleep on the track.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Willard gave the Flovilla Marshal's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Flovilla community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Willard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
J. is the only officer of Flovilla Marshal's Office remembered here.
J. is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
J. 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 1912, 2 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 90th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
J. had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
J. had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Flovilla Marshal's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 15.3% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Flovilla Marshal's Office are honored on badge.nw.