Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff David Moreland was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a man who fired on his deputies earlier in the day when they attempted to arrest him for stealing a mule.
Sheriff Moreland and his posse located the suspect at a home just across the county line in Worth County. As they surrounded the home, gun fire erupted and Sheriff Moreland was killed. The suspect, and five other men in the home, surrendered to the posse after a brief gun battle.
One month later an angry mob stormed the Worth County Jail in Sylvester, seized five of the suspects, took them in their automobiles to Lee County, and hanged them. The mule thief, whom they wanted the most, had been transferred to another jail. It was believed that he fired the shot that killed Sheriff Moreland. On February 2nd, 1916, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He received a new trial and was acquitted of murder charges in February of 1917.
Sheriff Moreland is buried in Macedonia Cemetery, Sasser, Georgia.
Thank you for this website. I too am a grandniece of David Moreland and was delighted to find this web page. It means a lot especially in these difficult times. I have a teenage son that knows little about his ancestors. My prayer is that my son will discover what a rich history his family has. Thanks to all the other people who left reflections! God bless, Deana Fenocchi
Deana Fenocchi Grandniece August 2nd, 2020
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- 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 Moreland served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Leesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Moreland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff David Raymond Moreland 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Raymond Moreland's cause is highlighted.
How David Raymond Moreland Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Raymond Moreland is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Raymond Moreland was killed by gun; unknown type.