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Incident
Deputy Franklin Williams was conducting a raid on a gambling den near Holton when one of the gamblers began shooting. Deputy Williams was mortally wounded by the shooter, but managed to return fire. He then succumbed to his injuries.
The killer escaped, but his body was discovered a short time later on top of a fence he had attempted to climb. It was determined that he had succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted earlier by Deputy Williams.
Deputy Williams had acted as a bailiff for the Macon City Court since at least 1910 before being appointed to the position of Deputy Sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, his father, and three brothers.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Williams gave the Bibb County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Macon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bibb County Sheriff's Office has lost 12 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Franklin is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Franklin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Franklin 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 1918, 1 officer at Bibb County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Franklin was 39. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Bibb County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 30.8 and 38.3; the middle age was 34.5. Franklin had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Franklin was 39. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Franklin was 39. 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. Franklin had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Franklin was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at Bibb County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 16.7%.
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Bibb County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Bibb County Sheriff's Office has 12 officers remembered here, Franklin 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Bibb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
