William L. Hattaway
Sheriff

William L. Hattaway

Felonious
End of Watch December 24, 1919
Age 34
The Vigil Panel 38 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sheriff Hattaway was shot and killed while arresting a suspect for possessing illegal whiskey. Sheriff Hattaway and another officer had gone to the man's home at around noon to serve the warrant when the shooting occurred. The man suddenly produced a pistol and opened fire, striking Sheriff Hattaway. Although mortally wounded, Sheriff Hattaway was able to return fire, striking the suspect five times, and killing him.

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you Hero and your family for your courage, sacrifice and service. Always remembered.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.) Upland Police Dept. CA December 24th, 2019

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-1A7E1067
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.
Sheriff Hattaway served with the Laurens County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Dublin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hattaway.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Dublin, Laurens County, GA
Platform Identity lcso.laurens.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 24, 1919
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Sheriff William L. Hattaway 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 Laurens County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Laurens County Sheriff's Department
2
of 3 officers
66.7% Felonious
GA — Statewide
549
of 905 officers
60.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William L. Hattaway's cause is highlighted.

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

How William L. Hattaway Compares

Age at Death
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Hattaway is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Hattaway was killed by handgun; pistol.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

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