Prev
Incident
Police Officer Frank Godbold was killed in a motorcycle crash in Savannah. Shortly before 5 p.m., Officer Godbold was traveling south on Habersham Street when he collided with a driver traveling west on Liberty. He was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered a skull fracture. He passed away the next day. No charges were filed against the driver. Officer Godbold had served with the Chatham County Police Department for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmxmk4fr1nwxxs2rq9fs- 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 William. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Godbold gave the Chatham County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Godbold.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Chatham County Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer at Chatham County Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1929, 3 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 130 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 36. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Chatham County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 56; the middle age was 47. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
William was 36. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Chatham County Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
March holds 6.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Chatham County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Chatham County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
-
William R. Mitchell
Sep 7, 1918
-
William Frank Godbold
Mar 28, 1929
-
Perry L. Anderson
Oct 27, 1934
-
William S. Winn, Jr.
Nov 1, 1934
-
John J. O'Riley
Oct 21, 1939
-
William M. Sheppard
Jun 9, 1951
-
Harry H. Akins
Nov 21, 1962
-
Dennis Witherington
Aug 24, 1969
-
Daniel Alexander Hodgson
Mar 20, 1976
-
Frank A. Kania, Sr.
May 24, 1979
-
Doreen E. McCumber
Nov 4, 1988
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Chatham County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
