Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff McInnis, Deputy T.W. Sheffield, and Chief of Police Stephen Davis were all shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect on domestic violence charges.
The suspect barricaded himself in his house and held his children hostage. Sheriff McInnis called out to the suspect to come out, but the suspect refused. Sheriff McInnis then asked the suspect to release his children, but the suspect again refused. Sheriff McInnis lined up his deputies and started for the house, but before they could reach the house, the suspect opened fire, killing Chief of Police Davis and wounding two other deputies. Sheriff McInnis ordered his men to retreat.
Sheriff McInnis returned shortly after and his deputies again approached the house. The suspect opened fire again and Deputy Sheffield and Sheriff McInnis were killed. The remaining deputies returned to town with the dead officers and contacted the governor, who ordered out the Albany Guard. They responded to the house with thirty men. As they approached the suspect, he committed suicide.
Sheriff McInnis returned shortly after and his deputies again approached the house. The suspect opened fire again and Deputy Sheffield and Sheriff McInnis were killed.
The remaining deputies returned to town with the dead officers and contacted the governor, who ordered out the Albany Guard. They responded to the house with thirty men. As they approached the suspect, he committed suicide.
No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice, and rest in peace always knowing that you will always be remembered.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) June 27th, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-ECC11131- 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 McInnis served with the Irwin County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ocilla community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McInnis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Jacob ""Pearlie"" McInnis 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 Irwin 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. Jacob ""Pearlie"" McInnis's cause is highlighted.
How Jacob ""Pearlie"" McInnis Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jacob ""Pearlie"" McInnis is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jacob ""Pearlie"" McInnis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Irwin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
