Crime & Safety
Statham Police to Honor Officer Killed in Line of Duty
A memorial service is scheduled for Feb. 1.
The Statham Police Department invites the public to attend the first observance of Marshal James Hammond Day on Feb. 1.
Hammond, a Statham marshal, was killed on Feb. 1, 1907 as he attempted to remove Will Bolton from the railroad tracks near the depot. In a post on the Statham Police Facebook page, the incident is recounted as follows:
Bolton, who was drunk at the time fired two shots at the Marshal - one of which missed - the other struck him in the chest passing through his heart killing him instantly. Bolton was captured a couple of days later and tried for Marshal Hammond's murder in Jackson County (Statham was in Jackson County at that time).
In recognition of Hammond's sacrifice, the Statham City Council has designated Feb. 1 of each year as Marshal James Hammond Day.
The Statham Police Department will make a presentation to Hammond's family during the Feb. 1 memorial service. The service will take place at 11 a.m. on Railroad Street.
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