Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal W.A. Hyers was shot and mortally wounded by an 18-year-old man whom he attempted to arrest on a warrant for illegal gambling.
As Marshal Hyers approached, the suspect produced a pistol and shot him through his abdomen. The suspect was apprehended in Bayboro, Georgia, the next day. Marshal Hyers succumbed to his wound four days later.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and hanged September 12th, 1902. Marshal Hyers' daughter stood beside the subject as the death trap was sprung and then used her father's knife to cut the suspect down.
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- 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.
Town Marshal Hyers served with the Adel Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Adel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Hyers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal W. A. Hyers 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. A. Hyers's cause is highlighted.
How W. A. Hyers Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1902
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. A. Hyers is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. A. Hyers was killed by handgun; pistol.