Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Souter was shot and killed while transporting a 17 year old boy he had arrested for shoplifting to jail. The suspect grabbed the chiefs service revolver and shot him once, killing him instantly. Officers captured the suspect in a swamp near Ellaville the next day. The suspect was convicted of Chief Souter's murder. He was executed in the electric chair on January 21, 1935.
Survivors
Chief Souter is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-6A76A307- 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.
Chief of Police Souter served with the Ellaville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ellaville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Souter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Wilbur B. Souter 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 Ellaville Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wilbur B. Souter's cause is highlighted.
How Wilbur B. Souter Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1935
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilbur B. Souter is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilbur B. Souter was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Ellaville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
