Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Pete Rainey succumbed to complications from gunshot wounds he received when he was shot on March 27, 1952.
Around midnight, an officer noticed two suspicious men and enlisted Officer Rainey's assistance in questioning them on Seminole Road. When the officers approached, a subject exited the vehicle and fired at them. The other officer slapped the gun down, causing a bullet to ricochet, striking Officer Rainey in his foot instead of his chest. Both officers returned fire, hitting one of the subjects.
Officer Rainey was transported to Kennestone Hospital, where he lost two toes. Sixteen days later, he suffered a blood clot attributed to his gunshot wound, and he passed away.
The two men were attempting to steal the car when the officers arrived at the scene. One of the subjects, a parolee with a warrant for violating parole, died en route to the hospital. The other subject, a convicted felon, was apprehended and convicted of possessing dynamite.
Officer Rainey also served as a fireman with the City of Acworth.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, a sister, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-8F8086F0- 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.
Police Officer Rainey served with the Acworth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Acworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rainey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Leonard Byrd "Pete" Rainey 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 Acworth Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard Byrd "Pete" Rainey's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard Byrd "Pete" Rainey Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Byrd "Pete" Rainey is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard Byrd "Pete" Rainey was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Acworth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
