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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ben Wilder was shot and killed by a 15-year-old boy he had arrested for petty larceny.
As he was escorted to jail, the suspect produced a pistol and shot Deputy Wilder through the head, instantly killing him.
The suspect, who was apprehended several days later, was convicted of first-degree murder and hanged at the Bibb County Jail in Macon on November 30, 1892.
Deputy Wilder was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and four brothers.
Survivors
Deputy Wilder was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wilder served with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Macon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bibb County Sheriff's Office has lost 12 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1892, 1 officer at Bibb County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1892, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1892, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1892, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 33. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Bibb County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 30.8 and 38.3; the middle age was 34.5.
Benjamin was 33. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Benjamin 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.
Benjamin was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 33.3% of these deaths at Bibb County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Thursdays: 33.3%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 12%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Bibb County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Bibb County Sheriff's Office has 12 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
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Benjamin F. Wilder
May 26, 1892
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James Walter Johnson Jun 16, 1908
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Franklin Leland Williams Aug 11, 1918
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Walter C. Byrd Jul 29, 1922
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Harry Green May 15, 1925
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Joseph Tim Whitehead, Jr.
Mar 23, 2006
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Chad McDonald
Dec 21, 2007
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Michael Sean Thomas
May 25, 2008
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Anthony Joseph Freeman
May 5, 2016
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Kenterrous Dewayne Taylor
Mar 18, 2020
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Christopher Wilson Knight
Apr 6, 2021
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William Warren Gay
Oct 14, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Bibb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
