Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Wade Coleman was shot and killed while searching a vehicle for illegal liquor near Cobbtown.
During the traffic stop of one of the four occupants of the vehicle started a struggle with Deputy Coleman's partner. The subject was able to gain control of a rifle and shot Deputy Coleman in the head, killing him and wounding his partner. The other three suspects then shot at Deputy Coleman as he was on the ground.
All four suspects were arrested and given life sentences in November 1920. One was paroled on November 5, 1931.
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BO-US-GA-D0A8140A- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Coleman served with the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Reidsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coleman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Wade Hampton Coleman is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wade Hampton Coleman's cause is highlighted.
How Wade Hampton Coleman Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wade Hampton Coleman is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wade Hampton Coleman was killed by rifle.