Roll of Honor
Michael Donell Stephenson
Incident
Private Michael Stephenson was shot twice and killed while making an arrest at the Jamestown Elementary School at 3636 Hiers Boulevard in Hephzibah. He had responded to a burglary alarm at the Jamestown Elementary School at 4:30 am. Upon arriving at the scene, he saw a subject walking on the school grounds carrying a backpack. He detained the suspect and placed him in the rear of his cruiser without handcuffing him. To avoid complaints from parents, the Board of Education policy at the time prevented officers from handcuffing students. The suspect had managed to conceal a gun in his hat and, while still seated in the back of the patrol car, opened fire on Private Stephenson as he spoke to a janitor who had responded to the alarm. Despite being wounded twice, Officer Stephenson was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. The subject fled the scene but was later arrested. He was convicted of Private Stephenson's murder and was subsequently sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Private Stephenson had served with the Richmond County Board of Education Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two young sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-3B90A50B- Stewardship
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- 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.
Private Stephenson gave the Richmond County Board of Education Public Safety 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Stephenson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private Michael Donell Stephenson 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 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 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Donell Stephenson's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Donell Stephenson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Donell Stephenson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Donell Stephenson was killed by handgun.