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Incident
Marshal Thomas Kersey was shot and killed while attempting to search a home on what is now Kersey Street for illegal whiskey.
The owner of the home was on probation for possession of illegal whiskey and was drunk at the time that Marshal Kersey went to the home. The suspect refused to let Marshal Kersey into the home, and as Marshal Kersey attempted to gain entry, the man shot him in the face with a shotgun.
The suspect was apprehended a short time later and sentenced to hang after being found guilty the following year. On September 19, 1924, he was the last death row inmate hanged by the state of Georgia. That same year Georgia began using the electric chair.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Kersey served with the Hazlehurst Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hazlehurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Kersey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thomas is the only officer of Hazlehurst Police Department remembered here.
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 1923, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 45. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 45. 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 was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hazlehurst Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 8.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
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