Robert L. Massey

Brunswick Police Department — Brunswick, GA

Felonious

End of Watch April 13, 1890

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 10 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Officer Massey was shot and killed by a man who refused to pay a $2.00 fine imposed by the court. As the man turned to walk out of the court Officer Massey put his hand on the man's shoulder. The suspect suddenly turned, produced a pistol and shot Officer Massey in the chest. As Officer Massey stumbled away he was shot again in the back. Other officers immediately began to struggle with the suspect, who was able to wound a local marshal seriously. Another officer forcibly took the pistol from the suspect and took him into custody. When the other grabbed the pistol it discharged, the bullet lodging in the suspect's thigh.. Officer Massey succumbed to his wounds the following day.

On June 1, 1890, the suspect was released in lieu of a $10,000 bond. The suspect, in critical condition from the bullet wound in his thigh and bed ridden, was sent to the home of his parents in Colbert. The last information about him was he was much better a month later.

Officer Massey was survived by his wife and child. An emergency session of the city council appropriated $1,000 for support his widow.

Survivors

Officer Massey was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-GA-450B2D42
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Massey served with the Brunswick Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Brunswick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Brunswick Police Department

Location Brunswick, GA

Platform Identity bpd.glynn.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 13, 1890

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Apprehended

Officer Robert L. Massey 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%.

At Brunswick Police Department, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.

Brunswick Police Department

of 7 officers

85.7% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious