Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Adams and Officer William Jackson were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on a disorderly conduct warrant at a saloon at the corner of 13th Street and 1st Avenue. During the arrest the suspect and his son both opened fire, fatally wounding both officers. The two men fled to their home on 16th Street, being chased by an angry mob. The mob surrounded the house but were held off by arriving officers. As the officers attempted to enter the house the two suspects opened fire on them, killing Officer Charlie Roberts and wounding a former police officer who was assisting. The mob of citizens then stormed the house and shot the father, dragged him into the front yard, set his body on fire, and continued to shoot him. The son was able to flee the home and went to Alabama where he was arrested. He was returned to Georgia and hanged for his part in the murders.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-A41A8BCE- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Adams served with the Columbus Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Richard M. Adams 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 Columbus Police Department, 19 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard M. Adams's cause is highlighted.
How Richard M. Adams Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard M. Adams is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard M. Adams was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Columbus Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
