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George W. Bannister
Lieutenant

George W. Bannister

Baton Rouge Police Department — Baton Rouge, LA
Felonious
United States flag Louisiana flag
End of Watch March 3, 1966
Age 41
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
The Vigil Panel 222 · Column 3 · Line 2 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 26

Incident

Lieutenant George Bannister was shot and killed while investigating a crash scene at North 26th Street and Gayosa Street in Baton Rouge. Around 6:00 p.m., Lieutenant Bannister approached a man believed to be the driver who struck another car. When he asked him for his license, the subject shot him through the car window. The man fled into a nearby wooded area, where he was shot and killed by officers in an exchange of gunfire. A state trooper was also shot and wounded by the suspect. Lieutenant Bannister had served with the Baton Rouge Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Lieutenant Bannister gave the Baton Rouge Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Bannister.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Baton Rouge Police Department
Type Other
Location Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Platform Identity brpd.ebr.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 3, 1966
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Age 41
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

George was 41. 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. George had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Baton Rouge Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, George among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Lieutenant George W. Bannister

Baton Rouge Police Department · End of Watch March 3, 1966

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W

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