Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Joseph Townsend was shot and killed and another deputy was seriously wounded by one of two brothers, 22 and 24, when they attempted to arrest them at their home for complicity in a riot.
A week earlier a riot resulted in Darien when the suspect's father, a prominent politician, was arrested for assaulting a woman. In the following days the situation grew worse as more than 40 rioters were arrested. After Deputy Townsend was killed Governor Allen D. Candler sent in the Georgia State Militia. Law and order was restored and both suspects were apprehended and charged with murder.
The suspects were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The Georgia Supreme Court stated they should have been charged with manslaughter only, and ordered a new trial. The killer was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in 1901. His brother was tried and acquitted.
Rest in peace knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 25th, 2020
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Deputy Sheriff Townsend served with the McIntosh County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Darien community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff Joseph Townsend 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 McIntosh County Sheriff's Office, 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. Joseph Townsend's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Townsend Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Townsend is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Townsend was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from McIntosh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
