Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff J.W. Roberson was shot and killed while tracking a suspected horse thief. The suspect's wife had tipped Sheriff Roberson and his posse off that the suspect was hiding in the swamps near Patterson. The posse was tracking the suspect when Sheriff Roberson noticed a column of smoke rising from a wooded area. Thinking that the smoke might be coming from the thief's camp, Sheriff Roberson left the posse to investigate.
When Sheriff Roberson reached the source of the smoke, he discovered that its source was not a camp but a large moonshine still manned by several men. Two of the moonshiners, who were aware of Sheriff Roberson's reputation for cracking down on illegal stills, immediately opened fire on him. Several members of the posse heard the shots and rushed to his assistance, but Sheriff Roberson succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds within minutes of the incident.
Eighteen people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy in the murder of Sheriff Roberson, including the horse thief that he had originally been tracking. The horse thief was cleared of the charges, but at least one of the suspects was tried and convicted of murdering the sheriff. That suspect was sentenced to death but later received a new trial and was sentenced to life. He was pardoned by Governor Richard Russell on January 10, 1933.
J.W. Roberson had served as the sheriff of Pierce County for over 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children, including a son, Olin, who was appointed to fill the position of sheriff after his father's death.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-B44C8564- Stewardship
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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.
Sheriff Roberson gave the Pierce County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Blackshear community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Roberson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John Wesley Roberson 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 Pierce County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Wesley Roberson's cause is highlighted.
How John Wesley Roberson Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1933
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wesley Roberson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Wesley Roberson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pierce County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
