William Robert Garner
Deputy Sheriff

William Robert Garner

Accident
End of Watch July 19, 2020
Age 53
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
The Vigil Panel 172 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Bill Garner was struck and killed by a vehicle while at the scene of a single-vehicle crash near mile marker 164 on I-85 at about 7:15 pm.

He was assisting the occupants of the involved vehicle when another vehicle lost control, entered the median, and struck him. Deputy Garner was transported to St. Mary's Sacred Heart where he succumbed to his injuries.

The man driving the vehicle that struck him was charged with homicide by vehicle.

Deputy Garner had served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for one year. He had previously served with the Oconee County Sheriff's Office and the Pendegrass Police Department for over 12 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, parents, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-0EBB34DF
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 William. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Garner gave the Franklin County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carnesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Garner.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Carnesville, Franklin County, GA
Platform Identity fcso.franklin.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 19, 2020
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Age 53
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Deputy Sheriff William Robert Garner is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In GA, 264 of 905 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 29.2% of this state's fallen. That is 29.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Franklin County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Franklin County Sheriff's Department
2
of 3 officers
66.7% Accident
GA — Statewide
264
of 905 officers
29.2% Accident
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Accident

National Cause Distribution

How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Robert Garner's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How William Robert Garner Compares

Age at Death
53
This officer
Avg for Accident: 38.1 years
Years of Service
13
This officer
Avg for Accident: 9.1 years

When Accident Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. William Robert Garner is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
820
Feb
730
Mar
748
Apr
708
May
848
Jun
797
Jul
899
Aug
938
Sep
913
Oct
925
Nov
872
Dec
897

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Franklin County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.