Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Massey was shot and killed by a man who refused to pay a $2.00 fine imposed by the court. As the man turned to walk out of the court Officer Massey put his hand on the man's shoulder. The suspect suddenly turned, produced a pistol and shot Officer Massey in the chest. As Officer Massey stumbled away he was shot again in the back. Other officers immediately began to struggle with the suspect, who was able to wound a local marshal seriously. Another officer forcibly took the pistol from the suspect and took him into custody. When the other grabbed the pistol it discharged, the bullet lodging in the suspect's thigh.. Officer Massey succumbed to his wounds the following day.
On June 1, 1890, the suspect was released in lieu of a $10,000 bond. The suspect, in critical condition from the bullet wound in his thigh and bed ridden, was sent to the home of his parents in Colbert. The last information about him was he was much better a month later.
Officer Massey was survived by his wife and child. An emergency session of the city council appropriated $1,000 for support his widow.
Survivors
Officer Massey was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-450B2D42- 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 Robert. Claim this record.
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
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Massey served with the Brunswick Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Brunswick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Robert L. Massey 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 Brunswick Police Department, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert L. Massey's cause is highlighted.
How Robert L. Massey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Massey is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Massey was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Brunswick Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
