Roll of Honor

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Chief of Police

Lawrence Newbern

Broxton Police Department — Broxton, GA

Felonious

End of Watch March 21, 1914

Age 60

The Vigil Panel 28 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Chief Lawrence Newbern was shot and killed while he and a constable were arresting two brothers for drunkenness and causing a disturbance. As he searched the suspects, one drew a revolver and shot him in the head. He then shot and accidentally killed his brother as he attempted to shoot the constable.

The suspect, 22, was captured two days later near Hazlehurst. On January 19, 1916, he was found guilty of Chief Newbern's murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on September 8, 1927.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 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 Newbern served with the Broxton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Broxton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Newbern.

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

Agency

Department Broxton Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Broxton, Coffee County, GA

Platform Identity bpd.coffee.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 21, 1914

Age 60

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Chief of Police Lawrence Newbern is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 6.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

At Broxton Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Broxton Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,586 officers

53.9% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Newbern's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,559 (53.9%)

Accident

10,094 (31%)

Illness

3,037 (9.3%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

334 (1%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

How Lawrence Newbern Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Newbern is highlighted in Mar.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,516

May

1,504

Jun

1,442

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,517

Sep

1,491

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Newbern was killed by handgun; pistol.

Handgun

3,684

Gun

3,592

Gun; Unknown type

1,492

Shotgun

1,109

Rifle

935

Officer's handgun

909

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Broxton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.