Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Armistead was shot and killed as he and his partner were attempting to arrest a suspect acting suspiciously in the downtown area of Atlanta where all local businesses were closed. While attempting place handcuffs on the suspect he produced a handgun and shot both officers, killing Patrolman Armistead.
The suspect was apprehended in Belmont, North Carolina, on September 28, 1918.
Patrolman Armistead had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife and child.
Survivors
Patrolman Armistead had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-710F93E2- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Armistead gave the Atlanta Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Armistead.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William E. Armistead 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 Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Armistead's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Armistead Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Armistead is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Armistead was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
87 officers from Atlanta Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
