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Incident
Location: Georgia Incident Date: Thursday, March 6, 1924 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Executed in 1931
Special Officer Robert Gunn was shot and killed after arresting a man near Steadley's Crossing (modern-day location near the intersection of Laney Walker Boulevard and R.A. Dent Boulevard) in Augusta, Georgia, for hopping a ride on a freight train.
He was walking the man to a nearby store to hand him over to city police when the man suddenly produced a handgun and fatally shot him in the left side.
Officer Gunn was taken to University Hospital where he died the following morning.
The killer fled the scene but was eventually apprehended. He was executed by hanging on June 12th, 1931. The man was the last person executed by hanging in the state of Georgia.
Officer Gunn was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and eight siblings.
Survivors
Officer Gunn was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and eight siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Officer Gunn served with the Georgia Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Gunn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Robert is the only officer of Georgia Railroad Police Department remembered here.
Robert is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1924, 12 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 29. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Robert was 29. 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.
Robert was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Fridays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Georgia Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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