Incident
Guard James Johnson was accidentally shot and killed when his double-barreled shotgun discharged as he climbed into a wagon.
Guard Johnson was supervising the county chaingang that was working on the Houston Road, approximately 13 miles from the city, when the accident occurred. He was climbing into the wagon when the shotgun's trigger got caught in the spokes of the wagon's front wheel. The shotgun discharged and stuck him in the shoulder.
He succumbed to wound approximately one hour later shortly after a doctor arrived at the scene.
Guard Johnson was survived by his wife and one child.
Survivors
Guard Johnson was survived by his wife and one child.
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.
Guard Johnson served with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Macon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bibb County Sheriff's Office has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer at Bibb County Sheriff's Office was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1908, 1 officer in GA was lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1908, 36 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 111th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1908, 48 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 28. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Bibb County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 29; the middle age was 29.
James was 28. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36.
James was 28. 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.
James was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Bibb County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
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 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Bibb County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Bibb County Sheriff's Office has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Benjamin F. Wilder
May 26, 1892
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James Walter Johnson Jun 16, 1908
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Franklin Leland Williams Aug 11, 1918
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Walter C. Byrd Jul 29, 1922
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Harry Green May 15, 1925
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Joseph Tim Whitehead, Jr.
Mar 23, 2006
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Chad McDonald
Dec 21, 2007
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Michael Sean Thomas
May 25, 2008
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Anthony Joseph Freeman
May 5, 2016
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Kenterrous Dewayne Taylor
Mar 18, 2020
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Christopher Wilson Knight
Apr 6, 2021
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William Warren Gay
Oct 14, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Bibb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.







