Ray City Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Wednesday, February 11, 1976
Add to My HeroesJames Edward Giddens
Chief Giddens was shot and killed after being abducted by three robbery suspects. Chief Giddens had stopped a vehicle that was speeding. Unbeknownst to him, the three suspects had just committed an armed robbery in Adel, Georgia. After abducting the chief, the suspects drove around trying to figure out what to do. The told Chief Giddens they were going to let him go and that he had to swim into a river so they had time to drive away.
As he followed their instructions and swam away one of the men shot him in the back with his own service weapon. The suspect then entered the water and shot him several more times. The three suspects were eventually apprehended. The shooter was executed on May 18, 1989. A second suspect died in prison in 1978.
Chief Giddens had only been with the agency for one year and had also served as a Lowndes County Sheriff's Department prior to becoming chief. The night he was killed was supposed to be his last night with the department as he had turned in his resignation. He was survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour 1 year
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Executed in 1989
Most Recent Reflection
View all 18 ReflectionsSo young with a wife and children, so brave and honest. Rest in peace Chief Giddens.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
May 29, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths

Patrolman Joseph Barlow
McAlester Police Department, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy McCain
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Hermann Police Department, MO
EOW: March 12, 2023

Master Trooper James R. Bailey
Indiana State Police, IN
EOW: March 3, 2023

Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: March 1, 2023

Correctional Officer Jay Miller
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: February 11, 2023

Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 19, 2023

Sergeant Christopher D. Fitzgerald
Temple University Police Department, PA
EOW: February 18, 2023

Police Officer Geoffrey Redd
Memphis Police Department, TN
EOW: February 18, 2023