Prev
Bert Donaldson
Incident
Chief Investigator Bert Donaldson was shot and killed from ambush after being lured into a hotel room while conducting an investigation into organized crime.
As he entered the hotel room with one of the subjects of the investigation, he was shot twice by a second suspect that was hiding in a closet with a shotgun. The two suspects then locked the hotel room door and fled. Chief Investigator Donaldson's body was found by hotel staff the following morning.
In 1927, a former police officer confessed to being involved in Chief Investigator Donaldson's killing, and nine other suspects were arrested and charged with murder. Only one suspect was convicted of Chief Investigator Donaldson's murder and sentenced to death. A year later he received a new trial and was acquitted. Charges against the others were dismissed.
Chief Investigator Donaldson had served in law enforcement for more than 4 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and is buried in Casey's Hill Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpyxq4frne1x912c9b6w- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Investigator Donaldson gave the Fulton County Office of the Solicitor General 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Investigator Donaldson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bert is the only officer of Fulton County Office of the Solicitor General remembered here.
Bert is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Bert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bert 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 1926, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bert was 54. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Bert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bert was 54. 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. Bert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bert was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bert had served 4 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%. Thursdays: 12%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fulton County Office of the Solicitor General. 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 52% of all 33,917 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 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Fulton County Office of the Solicitor General are honored on badge.nw.