Screven County Constable's Office, Georgia
End of Watch Thursday, August 9, 1900
Add to My HeroesWilliam Melton Mears
Constable William Mears and a man assisting him were shot and killed from ambush as they attempted to serve a warrant on a teenager for communicating threats.
As they approached the boy's home near the Savannah River, several men hiding in a nearby swamp opened fire. Constable Mears and his companion were killed instantly. A third companion, despite many wounds, managed to crawl to his buggy and make his way to Sylvania where he told of the shooting.
Five men were eventually captured and charged with murder. All five were hanged at the Screven County Jail June 14, 1901.
Constable Mears was survived by his parents, three sisters, and one brother. He is buried in Bethel Cemetery, Burtons Ferry Landing, Screven County, Georgia. The photo is courtesy of the Find a Grave website memorial.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle
- Offender Executed in 1901
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsRest In Peace
Nick mottola
None
August 9, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Patrol Deputy Antonio Aleman
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: July 8, 2025

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025

Police Officer Kelvin Patrick
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: February 6, 2025

Supervisory Special Agent Dennis M. Wagner, Jr.
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 5, 2025

Police Officer Kendall Corder
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: June 29, 2025

Undersheriff Brandon Gaede
Phillips County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 27, 2025

Sergeant Shiou Deng
Los Angeles Police Department, CA
EOW: June 23, 2025