Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Cleveland was shot and killed after he and two other officers responded to a home on Wilson Street to investigate a report of a suicidal man. The suspect had came home drunk and ordered his family out of the house. When the officers arrived Patrolman Cleveland and another officer walked to the front door. Patrolman Cleveland opened the screen door and told the man to put the gun down but was struck in the head by a shotgun blast fired by the man. The suspect then walked to the back of the house and committed suicide. Patrolman Cleveland had only served with the Elberton Police Department for 6 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-91913BDD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Cleveland served with the Elberton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elberton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cleveland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Hugh Dorsey Cleveland 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. Hugh Dorsey Cleveland's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh Dorsey Cleveland Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh Dorsey Cleveland is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh Dorsey Cleveland was killed by shotgun.