Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable William Mears and a man assisting him were shot and killed from ambush as they attempted to serve a warrant on a teenager for communicating threats.
As they approached the boy's home near the Savannah River, several men hiding in a nearby swamp opened fire. Constable Mears and his companion were killed instantly. A third companion, despite many wounds, managed to crawl to his buggy and make his way to Sylvania where he told of the shooting.
Five men were eventually captured and charged with murder. All five were hanged at the Screven County Jail June 14, 1901.
Constable Mears was survived by his parents, three sisters, and one brother. He is buried in Bethel Cemetery, Burtons Ferry Landing, Screven County, Georgia. The photo is courtesy of the Find a Grave website memorial.
As they approached the boy's home near the Savannah River, several men hiding in a nearby swamp opened fire. Constable Mears and his companion were killed instantly. A third companion, despite many wounds, managed to crawl to his buggy and make his way to Sylvania where he told of the shooting.
Constable Mears was survived by his parents, three sisters, and one brother. He is buried in Bethel Cemetery, Burtons Ferry Landing, Screven County, Georgia. The photo is courtesy of the Find a Grave website memorial.
Survivors
Constable Mears was survived by his parents, three sisters, and one brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Mears served with the Screven County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sylvania community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Mears.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable William Melton Mears is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Melton Mears's cause is highlighted.
How William Melton Mears Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Melton Mears is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Melton Mears was killed by rifle.