Prev Next
Private

Edward G. McNichols

Savannah Police Department — Savannah, GA
Felonious
United States flag Georgia flag
End of Watch April 7, 1866
Age 33
Tour of Duty 2 mo
The Vigil Panel 3 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 30

Incident

Private Edward McNichols and Private James Foley were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on the corner of Liberty and Broad Street in Savannah.

Around 11:00 p.m., a drunk off-duty police officer was brandishing his weapon after exiting a bar room. When Private McNichols and Private Foley attempted to take him into custody, the man shot both officers, who died instantly. He fired at another officer, with the bullet grazing his neck, but the officer was able to subdue and arrest him.

The subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years.

Private McNichols had served with the Savannah Police Department for two months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmnhqx134ewde973hbf7
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Edward. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

160 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Private McNichols served with the Savannah Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Savannah Police Department
Type Other
Location Savannah, Chatham County, GA
Platform Identity spd.chatham.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 7, 1866
Tour of Duty 2 mo
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1866, 23 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 160th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Edward was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Savannah Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, Edward among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Private Edward G. McNichols

Savannah Police Department · End of Watch April 7, 1866

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E

↑