Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal William Gibson succumbed to a stab wound received while arresting two inebriated subjects who were causing a disturbance.
A father and son were drinking while getting groceries in a local store. The store owner said that he would make sure the men got home okay, but the subjects continued to cause a disturbance and talk disparagingly about Marshal Gibson. He went and deputized a local citizen to help him arrest the men. While patting down the son for weapons, the father pushed him away, and the son stabbed Marshal Gibson with a knife. Both men were immediately arrested and charged with assault.
Marshal Gibson went home to recover from his wound but succumbed to his injuries 27 days later.
The son was found guilty of murder and sent to prison. He escaped in 1919, and his whereabouts are unknown.
Marshal Gibson served with the Mount Airy Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-495BF27B- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Gibson served with the Mount Airy Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Airy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Gibson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William Alford Gibson 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 Mount Airy Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Alford Gibson's cause is highlighted.
How William Alford Gibson Compares
Offender Outcome
Escaped Prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Alford Gibson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Alford Gibson was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mount Airy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
