Roll of Honor
Francis A. McClelland Jr.
Incident
Chief of Police Frank McClelland was struck and killed by a vehicle being pursued by other officers shortly after 7:00 pm.
The pursuit had started in Liberty County and continued through Hinesville and into Long County on Highway 84 at speeds topping 100 mph. Chief McClelland was attempting to stop traffic at the intersection of Highway 84 and McDonald Street when the vehicle struck him. The vehicle then left the roadway and fatally struck a motorcyclist at an adjacent gas station before coming to rest.
The fleeing subject was taken into custody at the scene. He was charged with two counts of murder, vehicular homicide, and DUI.
Chief of Police McCllelland was a U.S Air Force veteran of the Vietnam war.
Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 15th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-F7436EE9- 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 Francis. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Francis is one person.
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police McClelland served with the Ludowici Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ludowici community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Francis A. McClelland Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1968â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Chief of Police Francis A. McClelland Jr. is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In GA, 264 of 904 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 29.2% of this state's fallen. That is 29.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ludowici Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis A. McClelland Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Francis A. McClelland Jr. Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Francis A. McClelland Jr. is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Military Service
Francis A. McClelland Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1968–1972) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Francis A. McClelland Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ludowici Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
