United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Investigations, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Friday, March 11, 2005
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: 33031
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 11, 2005
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Agent David Wilhelm was shot and killed after being confronted by a fugitive on Canter Road, in the Buckhead section of Atlanta.
Earlier in the day, the suspect had severely beaten a sheriff's deputy in the Fulton County Jail. He then entered the courtroom where he was to be tried for several violent felonies and murdered the Superior Court Judge presiding over another case, murdered the court reporter, and while making his escape, murdered Sergeant Hoyt Teasley of the Fulton County, Georgia, Sheriff's Department.
Agent Wilhelm was at the construction site of his new home during the evening. The suspect, who was the focus of an extremely large manhunt by local, state, and federal officers, was trying to escape the area and confronted Agent Wilhelm in the home. After identifying Agent Wilhelm as a federal agent, the suspect shot and killed him and then stole his service weapon, badge, and personal vehicle. It is believed that Agent Wilhelm knew the man was wanted for the earlier murders and attempted to take action against him.
The suspect fled in Agent Wilhelm's vehicle to an apartment complex in the general area. Once there, he forced a woman into her apartment and held her hostage for several hours before letting her go. The woman immediately called 911 and responding SWAT officers took the man into custody after a brief standoff.
The suspect was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences in December 2008.
Agent Wilhelm had served with the Customs Service for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, parents, three brothers (one is also a special agent for the agency), and two sisters-in-law.