Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman McCown was shot and killed on Main Street by a man had previously arrested for drunk driving after he had a traffic accident. The suspect had been allowed to post a cash bond and was released from jail. A short time later he approached Policeman McCown from behind on a city street and ordered him to put his hands up. The man then spun him around and shot him twice in the chest with a .32 caliber handgun. Several witnesses chased the suspect a short distance until he was arrested by the Cedartown police chief and another officer. On October 29, 1954, the suspect, 53, was convicted of murder in Cobb County and sentenced to life. He was paroled on January 6, 1964. The suspect's brother had shot and killed Officer Marion Key, of the Atlanta Police Department, on March 4, 1948. Policeman McCown had previously served as sheriff of of Polk County for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-69D74738- 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.
Policeman McCown gave the Cedartown Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cedartown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McCown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman William Thompson McCown 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. William Thompson McCown's cause is highlighted.
How William Thompson McCown Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1964
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Thompson McCown is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Thompson McCown was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.