Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr.
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr.

Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office — Lawrenceville, GA
Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch September 22, 1998
Age 32
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Badge SO165
The Vigil Panel 145 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Wimberly was shot and killed after responding to a call of an emotionally disturbed person at the apartment complex where he lived. He was off duty and approached by other residents of the Hunter's Pointe Apartments, Jimmy Carter Boulevard, who reported that the man, also a resident of the complex, was preaching loudly to an open field and claiming to be God. Deputy Wimberly was able to calm the suspect down somewhat and get him to return to his apartment. The suspect then exited the apartment, and a scuffle ensued. During the struggle, the suspect was able to gain control of Deputy Wimberly's weapon and shot and killed him. The suspect was arrested at the scene by responding units. He was convicted of Deputy Wimberly's murder and sentenced to life in prison for his murder, 20 years for aggravated assault, and five years of possession of a firearm during a crime. Deputy Wimberly had just moved into the apartment complex that day. Deputy Wimberly had served with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office for four years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-4C255507
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 Kenneth. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Kenneth 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wimberly gave the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lawrenceville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wimberly.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, GA
Platform Identity gcso.gwinnett.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 22, 1998
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 32
Badge Number SO165
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

Military Service

Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr. served in the U.S. Army (1984–1987) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr. 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%.

Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
GA — Statewide
549
of 905 officers
60.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr. Compares

Age at Death
32
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr. is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr. was killed by officer's handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Military Service

Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr. served in the U.S. Army (1984–1987) before joining law enforcement.

Visit Kenneth Lee Wimberly Sr.’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.