George W. Ham
Agency patch
Patrolman

George W. Ham

Memphis Police Department — Memphis, TN
Accident
End of Watch February 27, 1936
Age 25
Tour of Duty
The Vigil Panel 71 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman George Ham was killed while pursuing a speeding car. He was chasing a car west on Linden Avenue (modern-day Doctor MLK Jr Avenue) at a high rate of speed. As his patrol car crossed the intersection with Walnut Street it was struck by a car being driven south on Walnut Street. Patrolman Ham was killed instantly and three occupants of the other car were also killed. Patrolman Ham had served with the Memphis Police Department for just 10 days.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Ham served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ham.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Memphis, Shelby County, TN
Platform Identity mpd.shelby.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 27, 1936
Tour of Duty
Age 25
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Not available

The Sacrifice · Accident

George is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1936, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

George was 25. 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. George had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Memphis Police Department has 94 officers remembered here, George among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman George W. Ham

Memphis Police Department · End of Watch February 27, 1936

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E

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