Roll of Honor
Incident
Private Edward McNichols and Private James Foley were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on the corner of Liberty and Broad Street in Savannah.
Around 11:00 p.m., a drunk off-duty police officer was brandishing his weapon after exiting a bar room. When Private McNichols and Private Foley attempted to take him into custody, the man shot both officers, who died instantly. He fired at another officer, with the bullet grazing his neck, but the officer was able to subdue and arrest him.
The subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years.
Private McNichols had served with the Savannah Police Department for two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-D94652FB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
160 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Private McNichols served with the Savannah Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private Edward G. McNichols 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 Savannah Police Department, 21 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward G. McNichols's cause is highlighted.
How Edward G. McNichols Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward G. McNichols is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward G. McNichols was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Savannah Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
