Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff David Yancey was stabbed to death by a man he attempted to arrest for purse snatching.
Deputy Yancey was walking on Whitehall Street near Forsyth Street when he heard the cry of "stop thief," and saw a man being chased by several others. Deputy Yancey joined the chase, outdistanced the other pursuers, and caught the suspect at 33 Windsor Street. The suspect resisted arrest and plunged a long knife into Deputy Yancey's heart.
The subject hid under a nearby vacant house where he was surrounded by several Atlanta policemen. Refusing to surrender he was shot six times and killed. It was later discovered that he was an escaped convict and wanted in another state for murder.
Deputy Sheriff Yancey was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Deputy Sheriff Yancey was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-8441704B- 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 David . 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Yancey served with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Yancey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff David Yancey is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Fulton County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Yancey's cause is highlighted.
How David Yancey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Yancey is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Yancey was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Fulton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
