Clarence Cox

Georgia Dept. of Corrections — Atlanta, GA

Felonious

End of Watch November 8, 1943

Age 57

The Vigil Panel 80 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 37

Incident

Guard Clarence Cox was shot and killed during an escape attempt from the state prison road camp near Douglas, Georgia.

A prison trustee used his privilege to access a prison office, where he obtained a gun. He held several employees at gunpoint, which allowed 10 additional inmates to raid the camp arsenal and steal seven shotguns and all of the ammunition.

As the group attempted to flee they ordered Guard Cox to drop his gun. He was then shot in the abdomen by a blast from a shotgun as he opened fire on the escapees. He was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day.

The trustee, 22, who caused the escape was also the ring leader. This was his ninth escape. All 11 were trustees. He was captured the next day along with three others. All were eventually captured. Six were charged with murder. An investigation revealed prison officials were extremely negligent as to how they appointed trusties and the dangerous access they were given to areas within the prison and camps.

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) November 8th, 2020

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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.
Guard Cox served with the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Georgia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Cox.

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

Agency

Department Georgia Dept. of Corrections

Location Atlanta, GA

Platform Identity gdcorr.fulton.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 8, 1943

Age 57

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge

Offender Charged with murder

Guard Clarence Cox 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 Georgia Dept. of Corrections, 16 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.1% of this agency's fallen.

Georgia Dept. of Corrections

of 38 officers

42.1% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious