Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Epperson was shot and killed near Valdosta, Georgia, while attempting to arrest a man wanted for a murder in Bradford County. The suspect also shot and wounded a Valdosta police officer who was accompanying Sheriff Epperson. The suspect was captured six days later in Camilla, Georgia. The suspect was convicted of Sheriff Epperson's murder and hanged on July 16, 1886. Sheriff Epperson's son, Henry Epperson, was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 20, 1890, while serving as sheriff of Bradford County. Sheriff Epperson was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters. He was elected Sheriff the previous year and took office in 1885, the year he was killed. He was a Confederate Civil War Veteran who served as a sergeant in the 37th Alabama Infantry, Company I.
Survivors
Sheriff Epperson was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-E0AF85BB- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Epperson gave the Bradford County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Starke community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
George Washington Epperson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff George Washington Epperson 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bradford County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Washington Epperson's cause is highlighted.
How George Washington Epperson Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1886
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Washington Epperson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Washington Epperson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Bradford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
