Edward H. DeBray
Agency patch
Police Officer

Edward H. DeBray

Atlanta Police Department — Atlanta, GA
Felonious
End of Watch June 20, 1901
Age 45
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 17 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Edward DeBray was shot and killed after being lured into a trap at the intersection of Holderness Street and Gordon Street. He had been notified of the fight by another citizen and followed the man to the scene. When he arrived he found himself surrounded by the man he followed and three others. One of the men produced a pistol and shot him. The next day all four were apprehended and charged with murder. The motive was revenge related to a shooting of a man months earlier by Officer DeBray. On July 30, 1902, the killer, 31, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison. He was paroled on April 30, 1914. The other three, charged with accessory in murder, were tried and acquitted. Officer DeBray had served with the Atlanta Police Department for four years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-F7DF60AF
Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer DeBray gave the Atlanta Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer DeBray.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Atlanta, Fulton County, GA
Platform Identity apd.fulton.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 20, 1901
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 45
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Police Officer Edward H. DeBray 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 Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.

Atlanta Police Department
58
of 88 officers
65.9% Felonious
GA — Statewide
549
of 905 officers
60.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward H. DeBray's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Edward H. DeBray Compares

Age at Death
45
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward H. DeBray is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward H. DeBray was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location