Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Benton Woods was shot and killed in Swainsboro by a man in the custody of the city marshal.
The marshal and his prisoner were on the way to the jail when the prisoner suddenly produced a pistol and shot Deputy Woods as he approached them. A gunfight followed in which the suspect was shot three times and another man was kllled. The next day a mob of more than 100 armed men broke into the jail, seized the suspect, hanged him from the nearest tree, and riddled his body with bullets.
Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us. Thank you for your heroism. God Bless
Detention Officer A.Zambito Texas May 13th, 2015
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-2EBDD396- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Woods served with the Emanuel County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Swainsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Woods.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff R. Benton Woods 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 97,756 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 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. R. Benton Woods's cause is highlighted.
How R. Benton Woods Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. R. Benton Woods is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. R. Benton Woods was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Emanuel County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.