Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Dan Ayers was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting the Georgia State Patrol at the scene of a traffic accident on U.S. 29 about four miles south of Royston. He was directing traffic around the crash when a vehicle crossed the center line and struck him, throwing him 25 feet in the air. When he landed, he was struck again by the vehicle. The driver who struck him was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to one year in prison. Sheriff Ayers had served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for four years. His wife was appointed as sheriff for the remaining six weeks of his term.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-CA9980B1- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Ayers gave the Franklin County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carnesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ayers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Dan Webster Ayers 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 Franklin County Sheriff's Dept., 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dan Webster Ayers's cause is highlighted.
How Dan Webster Ayers Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dan Webster Ayers is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dan Webster Ayers was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Franklin County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
