Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
End of Watch: Sunday, September 23, 1917
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 22, 1917
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 20 years
Deputy Sheriff William Christian was shot and killed when he and the county sheriff responded to a shooting in Milstead Village.
Two men who were playing a card game got into an argument over ninety cents that were at stake. One of the men shot the other over the argument. When Deputy Christian and the sheriff arrived at the scene the man immediately opened fire on them, striking Deputy Christian in the abdomen.
The subject was shot and wounded by return fire from the officers. He was convicted of Deputy Christian's murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Deputy Christian was survived by his wife and four children. He was predeceased by one other child.