William S. Christian

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office — Conyers, GA

Felonious

End of Watch September 23, 1917

Age 41

The Vigil Panel 33 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy Sheriff William Christian was shot and killed when he and the county sheriff responded to a shooting in Milstead Village.

Two men who were playing a card game got into an argument over ninety cents that were at stake. One of the men shot the other over the argument. When Deputy Christian and the sheriff arrived at the scene the man immediately opened fire on them, striking Deputy Christian in the abdomen.

The subject was shot and wounded by return fire from the officers. He was convicted of Deputy Christian's murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Deputy Christian was survived by his wife and four children. He was predeceased by one other child.

Survivors

Deputy Christian was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: 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 Christian served with the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Conyers community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Christian.

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

Agency

Department Rockdale County Sheriff's Office

Location Conyers, GA

Platform Identity rcso.rockdale.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 23, 1917

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to 20 years

Deputy Sheriff William S. Christian 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%.

At Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious