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Incident
Night Marshal Thomas Stephens and Deputy Walter Brown were shot and killed after responding to a report that several men were creating a disturbance in front of local church being used for a lodge meeting.
When Deputy Brown and Marshal Stephens attempted to place a man under arrest, the suspect's father drove up and opened fire killing them both. They managed to return fire killing four trouble makers, three who were their killer's sons. Vigilantes arrived on the scene burning the church to the ground and threw two rioters into the fire killing both. The shooting deaths of the two officers resulted in several people being killed and several buildings and homes being burned in Millen. Another son of the killer was lynched. The incident became known as one of the 25 "Red Summer Riots", of 1919. Other race riots occurred in Washington D.C., Knoxville Tennessee, Longview Texas, Phillips County, Arkansas, Omaha,Nebraska, and most dramatically Chicago.
The gunman was arrested for both murders. He was convicted of Deputy Brown's murder and sentenced to death. He was awarded a new trial and acquitted. A third trial resulted in the acquittal for the murder of Marshal Stephens. He was released from Jail on May 30, 1923.
Marshal Stephens had served with the agency for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, mother, and three 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.
Night Marshal Stephens gave the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Millen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jenkins County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1919, 10 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 43. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 43. 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. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Jenkins County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Jenkins County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Jenkins County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.