Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Justin Bedwell succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier following a vehicle pursuit of two brothers that started in neighboring Seminole County.
The pursuit started when Seminole County deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a pickup truck for reckless driving. The vehicle fled and the occupants opened fire on the deputies, who pursued them into Decatur County. The vehicle stopped in the driveway of a residence near the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and State Road 310 and the occupants attempted to force entry into the home by shooting through the door.
The homeowner returned fire, prompting the subjects to abandon their attempt to enter the home. As Captain Bedwell arrived in the area one of the subjects opened fire on his patrol car with a .30 caliber rifle, striking him in the chest. A second deputy suffered minor injuries. One subject was arrested at the scene. The second subject, armed with the rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest, was arrested 12 hours later following a manhunt in the area.
Captain Bedwell was flown to a hospital in Tallahassee, Florida, where he succumbed to his wounds while undergoing emergency surgery on March 1st, 2021.
Captain Bedwell had served with the Decatur County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-9AAE3F65- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Bedwell gave the Decatur County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bainbridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Bedwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Justin Williams Bedwell 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 Decatur County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Justin Williams Bedwell's cause is highlighted.
How Justin Williams Bedwell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Justin Williams Bedwell is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Justin Williams Bedwell was killed by rifle; .30 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Decatur County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
