Police Officer Ralph King Davis, Gwinnett County Police Department, Georgia

Police Officer Ralph King Davis

Gwinnett County Police Department, Georgia

End of Watch Friday, April 17, 1964

Ralph King Davis

Officer Ralph Davis, Officer Jerry Everett, and Officer Marvin Gravitt were shot and killed after responding to a suspicious activity call. Officer Everett and Officer Davis were riding together and driving Officer Gravitt home after he had become ill.

During the drive they responded to the call and encountered several subjects stripping a vehicle. Nearby citizens reported hearing what they believed to be firecrackers going off and a search of the area the next day turned up the officer's patrol vehicle. Their bodies were found in a wooded area a short distance away, all handcuffed together, and shot a total of 14 times.

Three suspects were arrested several weeks later, one of whom was an ex-Gwinnett County deputy sheriff who knew the officers. One suspect was granted immunity after he agreed to testify against the other two. They were sentenced to death but later had their sentences commuted to life in prison. One was paroled in 1989. The ex-deputy died in prison in May of 2016.

Bio

Age 49
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Died in prison

Most Recent Reflection

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I grew up in DeKalb County adjacent to Gwinnett. I was 15 years old when these officers were killed. I remember it very well. 7 years later I joined the Atlanta Police Dept. I retired 44 years later after serving with three agencies. This incident was one of the reasons I decided to make a career of law enforcement. May you rest in peace and may your families know you did not did in vain. Without dedicated heroes like you no one would be safe.

Sergeant (retired)
Atlanta Ga PD, Ft. Lauderdale Fl PD and Lighthouse Point Fl PD

July 17, 2016