Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia
End of Watch Friday, July 21, 1967
Add to My HeroesWilliam Earl Hobbs
Ranger Bill Hobbs succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on his farm six miles south of Blakely 12 days earlier as he and an Early County deputy investigated a disturbance involving a mentally unstable man who was living with family members on the property.
The man had been released from Central State Hospital a few weeks earlier and was causing a disturbance. He shot at Ranger Hobbs and the deputy when they arrived at the scene. Ranger Hobbs suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He then took a gun and ammunition from the deputy's patrol car and barricaded himself in the farmhouse.
Responding officers shot and killed the man when he opened fire on them.
Ranger Hobbs was survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 52
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, July 9, 1967
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 5 ReflectionsThank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 21, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025

Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, Jr.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Brandon Ray Sikes
Columbia County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Perez
Dawson County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 22, 2025

Captain Helio Armando Garcia, III
South Fulton Police Department, GA
EOW: April 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard
Wood County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 9, 2025

Deputy Sheriff William May
Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 2, 2025

Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, CA
EOW: March 26, 2025

Sergeant Grant J. Candies
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: March 23, 2025