N. G. "Doc" Osborn

Columbus Police Dept. — Columbus, GA

Felonious

End of Watch January 31, 1901

Age 41

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

The Vigil Panel 16 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 25

Incident

Officer Osborn was shot and killed while arresting a man for drunk and disorderly conduct. He had responded to a complaint of the man at a prostitution house on 8th Street and found the man sleeping in an upstairs bedroom. He took the man downstairs and was walking him to jail when the man suddenly pulled out a pistol and shot Officer Osborn. Officer Osborn pulled out his own gun but collapsed and died before having a chance to fire at the suspect. The man fled the scene on foot but was captured a short time later. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 14 years in prison. On February 6, 1903, he was pardoned by Governor Terrell because he was suffering from pulmonary troubles and was not likely to live.

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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.
Police Officer Osborn gave the Columbus Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Osborn.

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

Agency

Department Columbus Police Dept.

Location Columbus, GA

Platform Identity cpd.muscogee.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 31, 1901

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Pardoned in 1903

Police Officer N. G. "Doc" Osborn 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 Columbus Police Dept., 19 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.1% of this agency's fallen.

Columbus Police Dept.

of 26 officers

73.1% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious