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Incident
Sheriff William Orr was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in Dawsonville.
He entered a service-station garage in search of the wanted man but was shot and killed by an occupant in the garage. The man who shot him turned himself in several days later. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 12 to 14 years. He was paroled on December 30, 1932.
Sheriff Orr had served as the elected sheriff for a total of nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
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.
Sheriff Orr gave the Dawson County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dawsonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Orr.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dawson County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 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
William was 58. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 58. 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 had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Dawson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Dawson County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dawson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
