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Incident
Officer Michael Hester was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Rockbridge Road. He had stopped a car, which subsequently pulled several hundred yards down a driveway to an abandoned house at 9:30 a.m. While he was talking to the driver, the suspect exited through the driver's door and shot him several times. He was able to return fire. Both Officer Hester and the suspect, who was a convicted felon, were found dead a short time later next to the suspect's car, which had been stolen. Officer Hester had served with the Lilburn Police Department and previously served with the Barrow County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Officer Hester gave the Lilburn Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lilburn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Hester.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of Lilburn Police Department remembered here.
Michael is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 1994, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 26. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 26. 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. Michael had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 10 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%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lilburn Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 19.3% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lilburn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.