Gainesville Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Thursday, December 25, 1890
Add to My HeroesWilliam James Kittrell
Chief of Police William Kittrell was shot and killed while he and one of his officers attempted to arrest a woman during a domestic dispute.
The woman and her father, who was trying to get her out of town, were at the local train depot when the officers attempted to stop them. The father opened fire on the officers, striking Chief Kittrell in the spine. The other officer was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
Chief Kittrell was survived by his wife, four daughters, and an unborn son. He was the first Gainesville officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsChief of Police William James Kittrell is my great grandfather and one of his daughters, Nettie Pearl Kittrell Fuss, was my grandmother who had just turned 7 on December 14, 1890. He is buried at Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville, GA. Memorials for him are in Washington, DC and Forsyth, GA for fallen police officers. As well, there is a picture of him that I was able to provide to the Gainesville Police Department a few years ago.
Miriam Weston
Great granddaughter
December 26, 2020
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