Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Tode Hurst was shot and killed when gunfire erupted during a race riot in Decatur.
The riot resulted when Marshal Hurst and several officers attempted to arrest an unruly man at a church gathering. A rioter was also shot and killed and the ex-marshal, who was assisting Marshal Hurst, was seriously wounded. The local militia restored order and arrested several rioters.
Two of the rioters were charged with Marshal Hurst's murder. One was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison. The other was tried and acquitted. A third suspect, who was identified as being the one who actually fired the fatal shot, escaped.
In 1887 Marshal Hurst was the youngest elected town marshal in Georgia.
Rest in peace knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice by your fellow law enforcement.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 26th, 2020
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BO-US-GA-260F0287- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Hurst served with the Decatur Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal J. T. "Tode" Hurst 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%.
At Decatur Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. T. "Tode" Hurst's cause is highlighted.
How J. T. "Tode" Hurst Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. T. "Tode" Hurst is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. T. "Tode" Hurst was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
