Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ben Wilder was shot and killed by a 15-year-old boy he had arrested for petty larceny.
As he was escorted to jail, the suspect produced a pistol and shot Deputy Wilder through the head, instantly killing him.
The suspect, who was apprehended several days later, was convicted of first-degree murder and hanged at the Bibb County Jail in Macon on November 30, 1892.
Deputy Wilder was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and four brothers.
Survivors
Deputy Wilder was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-24B3B2B6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Benjamin. Claim this record.
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
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wilder served with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Macon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Benjamin F. Wilder is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bibb County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin F. Wilder's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin F. Wilder Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1892
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin F. Wilder is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin F. Wilder was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Bibb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
