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Incident
Sheriff Ladson O'Connor was killed in a vehicle crash during a pursuit of two subjects on Highway 56 near the Toombs County / Montgomery County line at approximately 1:00 am.
The pursuit started in Toombs County when deputies attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled as its occupants fired shots at the pursuing Toombs County deputies. Sheriff O'Connor joined the pursuit near the county line. His vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
The female subject in the car was arrested a short time later. The male subject was arrested approximately eight hours later following a large manhunt. He was charged with felony murder. On November 3, 2015, he escaped from deputies who were transferring him to the Laurens County Jail. He was captured 12 hours later.
Sheriff O'Connor is survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Sheriff O'Connor is survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Sheriff O'Connor gave the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mt. Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff O'Connor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Ladson is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Ladson is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ladson 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 2015, 6 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 2015, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2015, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ladson was 42. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Ladson had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ladson was 42. 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. Ladson had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ladson was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ladson had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 6.4% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Tuesdays: 14.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.8% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Ladson among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Montgomery County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
