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Incident
Chief of Police Davis, Deputy Sheriff T.W. Sheffield and Sheriff Pearlie McInnis were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect on domestic violence charges.
The suspect barricaded himself in his house and held his children hostage. Sheriff McInnis called out to the suspect to come out, but the suspect refused. Sheriff McInnis then asked the suspect to release his children, but the suspect again refused. Sheriff McInnis lined up his deputies and started for the house, but before they could reach the house, the suspect opened fire, killing Chief of Police Davis and wounding two other deputies. Sheriff McInnis ordered his men to retreat.
Sheriff McInnis returned shortly after and his deputies again approached the house. The suspect opened fire again and Deputy Sheffield and Sheriff McInnis were killed.
The remaining deputies returned to town with the dead officers and contacted the governor, who ordered out the Albany Guard. They responded to the house with thirty men. As they approached the suspect committed suicide.
Chief Davis is buried in Smyrna Presbyterian Cemetery.
The suspect barricaded himself in his house and held his children hostage. Sheriff McInnis called out to the suspect to come out, but the suspect refused. Sheriff McInnis then asked the suspect to release his children, but the suspect again refused. Sheriff McInnis lined up his deputies and started for the house, but before they could reach the house, the suspect opened fire, killing Chief of Police Davis and wounding two other deputies. Sheriff McInnis ordered his men to retreat.
Sheriff McInnis returned shortly after and his deputies again approached the house. The suspect opened fire again and Deputy Sheffield and Sheriff McInnis were killed.
The remaining deputies returned to town with the dead officers and contacted the governor, who ordered out the Albany Guard. They responded to the house with thirty men. As they approached the suspect committed suicide.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Davis served with the Ocilla Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ocilla community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ocilla Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Stephen is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Stephen was 31. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Stephen was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Stephen was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Ocilla Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 15.3% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Ocilla Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Stephen among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ocilla Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
