Roll of Honor
J. Ben Wilson
Incident
Location: Georgia Weapon: Shotgun Offender: Paroled
Deputy Marshal J.B. Wilson was shot and killed as he and a deputy attempted to serve a warrant on a man and his son for moonshining in Soperton, Georgia. The two were allowed to get their coats from their house but came out blasting with shotguns. Marshal Wilson was killed and the deputy had a arm almost blown off. Both, 63 and 19, were apprehended.
In February of 1919 both were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life. The son was paroled on May 10, 1925. His father was paroled on December 16, 1929.
Deputy Wilson had served with the United States Marshals Service for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-6E34AE0C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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 U.S. Marshal Wilson gave the United States Department of Justice 4 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy U.S. Marshal Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy U.S. Marshal J. Ben Wilson 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Ben Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How J. Ben Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Ben Wilson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Ben Wilson was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
