Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Thomas Kersey was shot and killed while attempting to search a home on what is now Kersey Street for illegal whiskey.
The owner of the home was on probation for possession of illegal whiskey and was drunk at the time that Marshal Kersey went to the home. The suspect refused to let Marshal Kersey into the home, and as Marshal Kersey attempted to gain entry, the man shot him in the face with a shotgun.
The suspect was apprehended a short time later and sentenced to hang after being found guilty the following year. On September 19, 1924, he was the last death row inmate hanged by the state of Georgia. That same year Georgia began using the electric chair.
City Marshal Kersey, On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Hazelhurst.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol December 9th, 2023
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- 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.
City Marshal Kersey served with the Hazlehurst Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hazlehurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Kersey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Thomas J. Kersey 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. Thomas J. Kersey's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Kersey Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1924
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Kersey is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Kersey was killed by shotgun.