Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Stein was shot and killed after responding to a business where a robbery was in progress. When Officer Stein arrived at the scene, the suspect fled. Officer Stein caught the suspect and a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to gain control of Officer Stein's gun and shot him in the head.
The suspect was apprehended two days later near Lula, Georgia. He was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair December 27, 1937.
Officer Stein had served with the Athens Police Department for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-DA4E729D- 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 Stein gave the Athens Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stein.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Herman Karl Stein 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 Athens Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Herman Karl Stein's cause is highlighted.
How Herman Karl Stein Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1937
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herman Karl Stein is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herman Karl Stein was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
