Flovilla Marshal's Office, Georgia
End of Watch: Sunday, June 2, 1912
Age:
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 2, 1912
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1921
Town Marshal Matt Willard was shot and killed from ambush as he stood in a cotton patch in the outskirts of Flovilla at an early morning hour. Bloodhounds led the Butts County Sheriff to the home of a man who was arrested and charged with his murder.
Town Marshal Willard had problems with the suspect for several years. The suspect maintained that he was innocent even though there was a witness to the crime. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison February 27, 1913. He was paroled on April 21, 1921. On August 25, 1932, he was killed by a freight train in Flovilla. Officials think he fell asleep on the track.