Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ronald Bays was killed in an accident as he was responding to another accident. He was on Georgia Highway 8 when his patrol car hydroplaned during a heavy rain storm and struck another vehicle. Deputy Bays was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Barrow County Sheriff's Department for two years and had previously served with the Statham Police Department for ten years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqpz88bndm7tts2cd318- 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 Ronald. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Ronald 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bays gave the Barrow County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winder 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
Ronald Eugene Bays served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ronald is the only officer of Barrow County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Ronald is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1992, 2 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 45th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1992, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1992, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ronald was 33. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Ronald had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ronald had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ronald had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Barrow County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Military Service
Ronald Eugene Bays served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ronald Eugene Bays’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 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Barrow County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.