Incident
Deputy William Hudson was killed in a vehicle crash resulting from a vehicle pursuit.
Deputy Hudson was pursuing a shooting suspect at 1:13 am. He was attempting to stop at an intersection when his patrol car skidded 26 feet into a tractor-trailer. The vehicle being pursued did not contain the shooting suspect that officers believed they were chasing.
The suspect, however, was apprehended the next day. The man committed suicide by hanging himself in his jail cell two weeks after his guilty plea.
Deputy Hudson had served with the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office for over five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Hudson gave the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fitzgerald community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hudson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ben Hill County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1990, 3 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1990, 66 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1990, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 31. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Ben Hill County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.8% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Ben Hill County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Ben Hill County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.

