Roll of Honor
Incident
Investigator Richard Williams succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on January 28th, 1987, after arresting three subjects for trespassing and disrupting classes at Booker T. Washington High School.
He had searched and handcuffed the 19-year-old subject but did not search or handcuff either of the juveniles. As he transported the three to police headquarters, one of the juveniles produced a handgun and shot him in the back and neck, paralyzing him from the chest down.
Although confined to a wheelchair, he was able to return to limited duty and remained active with the police department as his health deteriorated. He died as a result of complications from the original wounds several days before he was scheduled to retire.
Investigator Williams had served with the Atlanta Police Department for 37 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-A2B86175- 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
37 years. You could have gone home.
Investigator Williams gave the Atlanta Police Department 37 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator Richard E. Williams 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 Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard E. Williams's cause is highlighted.
How Richard E. Williams Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard E. Williams is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard E. Williams was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
87 officers from Atlanta Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
