Roll of Honor
Adelbert S. Williams
Incident
Chief Williams was shot and killed while making an arrest at 3:45 a.m. He had caught a suspect loading stolen merchandise into a stolen vehicle. As Chief Williams started to handcuff the suspect a struggle ensued and they exchanged shots. The suspect was killed at the scene. Chief Williams was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds that evening. Chief Williams was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had been with the Gibsonville Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-07F11B69- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Williams gave the Gibsonville Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gibsonville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Adelbert S. Williams served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police Adelbert S. Williams 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Gibsonville Police Department, 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. Adelbert S. Williams's cause is highlighted.
How Adelbert S. Williams Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Adelbert S. Williams is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Adelbert S. Williams was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Gibsonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
