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Incident
Ranger Bill Hobbs succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on his farm six miles south of Blakely 12 days earlier as he and an Early County deputy investigated a disturbance involving a mentally unstable man who was living with family members on the property.
The man had been released from Central State Hospital a few weeks earlier and was causing a disturbance. He shot at Ranger Hobbs and the deputy when they arrived at the scene. Ranger Hobbs suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He then took a gun and ammunition from the deputy's patrol car and barricaded himself in the farmhouse.
Responding officers shot and killed the man when he opened fire on them.
Ranger Hobbs was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Ranger Hobbs was survived by his wife and son.
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.
Ranger Hobbs served with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Social Circle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Ranger Hobbs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Georgia Department of Natural Resources has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1967, 1 officer at Georgia Department of Natural Resources was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 2.
In 1967, 2 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 90th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 52. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Georgia Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54.5; the middle age was 49.
William was 52. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 52. 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.
William was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 14.3% of these deaths at Georgia Department of Natural Resources; August holds the most, 28.6%. Fridays: 28.6%.
July holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Fridays: 12.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 15.3% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Georgia Department of Natural Resources has 10 officers remembered here, William among them.
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James Hiram Waller
Aug 20, 1927
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Robert Clayton Sizemore Nov 9, 1928
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James Edward Morton Dec 13, 1928
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Lonnie F. Boggus Aug 21, 1930
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Asa Edwin Thornton
May 19, 1962
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William Earl Hobbs
Jul 21, 1967
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Charles Callaway Mercer, Jr.
Nov 29, 1968
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William Lee Bryant
Dec 23, 1970
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Rocky Daren Wainwright
Aug 19, 1999
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Stanley Curtis Elrod
Sep 3, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Georgia Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
