Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Dorsey was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men for creating a disturbance at the Gainesville Cotton Mills.
The two men were leaving as he arrived at the mills and he attempted to follow them. A struggle ensued in which one of the men shot Deputy Dorsey in the stomach. He was taken to a local hospital where he died two hours later.
The two subjects were arrested and charged with Deputy Dorsey's murder. One was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The second was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years.
Deputy Dorsey was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Dorsey was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-B0DBEF43- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Dorsey served with the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dorsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Jefferson Dorsey 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 Hall County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 28.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Jefferson Dorsey's cause is highlighted.
How William Jefferson Dorsey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Jefferson Dorsey is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Jefferson Dorsey was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Hall County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
