Incident
Patrolman Bryson and Patrolman Robert Read were shot and killed killed while attempting to restore order during a riot that broke out during the 1868 Presidential election. The riot was started by citizens opposing candidate Ulysses S. Grant. Three citizens were killed and 17 injured.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
158 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Bryson gave the Savannah Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Savannah Police Department has lost 31 officers; 21 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1868, 2 officers at Savannah Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1868, 2 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 90th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1868, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1868, 26 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 160th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Samuel had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 9.5% of these deaths at Savannah Police Department; August holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 9.5%.
November holds 8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 12.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 67.7% of all 31 deaths at Savannah Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 52.4% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Savannah Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
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James Foley Apr 7, 1866
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Edward G. McNichols Apr 7, 1866
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Samuel Bryson Nov 4, 1868
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Robert A. Reid Nov 5, 1868
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John D. Sullivan Dec 25, 1869
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Habersham H. Harvey Oct 20, 1881
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Jensen Christian Neve
Feb 10, 1894
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Harry B. Fender Feb 16, 1901
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Frank V. Hansen Jun 17, 1910
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James McGinley Feb 20, 1916
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Walter H. Marlow
Mar 27, 1921
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Philip E. Steeves Mar 22, 1922
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William F. Hodges Aug 10, 1924
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William C. Ellzey Sep 26, 1926
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O. Raymond Hughes Aug 18, 1928
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Samuel Marion Webb, Sr.
Apr 14, 1929
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Herbert V. Fitzgerald Aug 1, 1929
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James E. Roughen
Jan 22, 1934
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Earl W. Eubanks
Dec 23, 1941
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James Walter Todd
Dec 12, 1950
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H. Dan Rolison
Sep 25, 1960
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Jimmy Lee Bland
Sep 26, 1966
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Frank W. Mobley Jul 20, 1968
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Robert D. Watford Sep 18, 1969
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James Franklin Marchbanks
Jun 30, 1976
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John Joseph Brown
Apr 14, 1981
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Mark Allen MacPhail, Sr.
Aug 19, 1989
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Willie Samuel Smith
Mar 11, 1994
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Joseph Lupus
May 22, 2018
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Anthony Lawrence Christie
May 25, 2018
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Kelvin Bernard Ansari
May 11, 2019
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
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