Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Albert Wells succumbed to a gunshot wound inflicted the previous day while attempting to arrest a juvenile who had been stealing money from the People's Bank of Woodbury.
The boy had been suspected of entering the bank while it was closed during the lunch hour and stealing small amounts of money.
At the request of bank employees, Chief Wells was in the bank when the boy entered. As Chief Wells arrested the boy, the bank's telephone rang. When the chief set his pistol down to answer the phone, the boy picked up the gun and shot him in the head.
Chief Wells was taken to a hospital in Atlanta where he died the following day. The boy was taken from the Woodbury jail by a mob of angry citizens and lynched.
Chief Wells was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Chief Wells was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-E5C0093A- Stewardship
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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.
Chief of Police Wells served with the Woodbury Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Woodbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Wells.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Albert S. Wells 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. Albert S. Wells's cause is highlighted.
How Albert S. Wells Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by mob
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert S. Wells is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert S. Wells was killed by officer's handgun.