Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal William Sheffield was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in publicDuring the arrest, the man drew his pistol and shot Marshal Sheffield. One of the shots also struck a bystander who rushed out of his store when he heard the commotion. Marshal Sheffield was taken to a nearby hospital where he died five hours later.
The suspect was apprehended in Picayune, Louisiana, in April of 1924. A month later he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 14 to 20 years.
Marshal Sheffield was survived by his parents and two siblings.
Survivors
Marshal Sheffield was survived by his parents and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-DF3CA375- 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.
Town Marshal Sheffield served with the Coolidge Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Coolidge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Sheffield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William H. Sheffield 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. William H. Sheffield's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Sheffield Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Sheffield is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Sheffield was killed by handgun.