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Incident
Special Agent Garland Fields was shot and killed during an investigation at the Lighthouse Cafe on U.S. Highway 1, one mile south of Swainsboro, Georgia, while making a routine check on a stranger attempting to sell a rifle at a cafe. Agent Fields was having dinner with his wife and two daughters when he witnessed a man attempting to sell a rifle. After asking the subject why he wanted to sell the gun, the man, 21, ran to a car outside where his brother, 26, and two females, both 20, were waiting. As the subject got in the car, he shot Agent Fields and sped away. Agent Fields returned fire, shooting five times toward them. Agent Fields died on the way to a hospital. The four suspects were apprehended after they committed carjackings, hold-ups, and gun battles throughout Tennessee and Georgia. The gunman's brother had been shot and seriously wounded. The two male suspects had escaped from a Tennessee jail and chain gang in February 1948. Both were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The females were sentenced to two years each. After a short stay in prison, the brother was transferred to the state insane asylum. The gunman escaped jail in 1951 and then escaped a Georgia road gang in 1958, kidnapping citizens for their vehicles and shooting at law enforcement officers before being apprehended. On October 5, 1965, he was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate. Agent Fields had served with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for only three weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Fields served with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Fields.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Georgia Bureau of Investigation has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Garland is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Garland is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Garland is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Garland was 38. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Garland had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Garland was 38. 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. Garland had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Garland was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Garland had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 12.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Georgia Bureau of Investigation has 6 officers remembered here, Garland among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Georgia Bureau of Investigation are honored on badge.nw.
