Sheriff Thomas Wiley Camp, Campbell County Sheriff's Office, Georgia

Sheriff Thomas Wiley Camp

Campbell County Sheriff's Office, Georgia

End of Watch Friday, April 3, 1931

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Thomas Wiley Camp

Sheriff Thomas Camp was shot and killed by a prisoner in the Campbell County Courthouse while awaiting transfer to the county jail.

The prisoner suddenly tried to run for the door but was grabbed by Sheriff Camp. A struggle ensued in which the prisoner gained control of Sheriff Camp's service revolver and then fatally shot him. The man fled into a nearby swamp where he was surrounded by a posse of citizens and captured a few hours later.

It was later discovered that the suspect had recently escaped from a Morgan County, Georgia, chain gang where he was serving a 20 year sentence for murder. He was convicted of Sheriff Camp's murder, sentenced to death, and executed in the electric chair on May 18, 1931.

Campbell County was annexed by Fulton County at the end of 1931.

Sheriff Camp was survived by his wife. Sheriff Camp's wife was appointed to serve the rest of his term as sheriff.

Bio

Age 48
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender executed in 1931

escapee, prisoner custody

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Most Recent Reflection

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Sheriff Camp was my maternal great-grandfather. He died many years before I was born, and I only vaguely remember my great grandmother (Emma Lula Duggan Camp), but my Grandmother (Mrs. Annie Sara Camp Johnston), was the best grandmother in the whole wide world!

She raised me, telling me stories of them and taking me to different parts of what eventually became Fulton County, which was steeped in history. The bell from the ferry at Rivertown, hung on a pole in her yard for the entirety of my life.

I would have loved to have known you, as I think your son, Ben, must have been much like you. He was something else! Much like my father, who’s own father was a Clayton County Sheriff’s Deputy.

We have carried on teaching my children (which are his great-great grandchildren), who he was and the role that their great-great grandmother took on after his death. We look forward to telling their children of our family history as well.

Thank you for your service Sir.
May you rest in Paradise.

Saralyn Ponder
Great Grandaughter

November 26, 2023