Special Officer Robert Franklin Gunn, Georgia Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

Special Officer Robert Franklin Gunn

Georgia Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Friday, March 7, 1924

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Robert Franklin Gunn

Special Officer Robert Gunn was shot and killed after arresting a man near Steadley's Crossing (modern-day location near the intersection of Laney Walker Boulevard and R.A. Dent Boulevard) in Augusta, Georgia, for hopping a ride on a freight train.

He was walking the man to a nearby store to hand him over to city police when the man suddenly produced a handgun and fatally shot him in the left side.

Officer Gunn was taken to University Hospital where he died the following morning.

The killer fled the scene but was eventually apprehended. He was executed by hanging on June 12th, 1931. The man was the last person executed by hanging in the state of Georgia.

Officer Gunn was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and eight siblings.

Bio

Age 29
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Georgia
Incident Date Thursday, March 6, 1924
Weapon Handgun
Offender Executed in 1931

trespasser

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Gunn, today marks the 101st anniversary of your murder, over being arrested for hopping a freight train. I feel no remorse over the death of your murderer and feel that there must have been some closure for those family, friends and co-workers you left behind. Thank you for helping to protect one of America's greatest assets, it's railroads, safe.

God Bless you, Brother and may your eternal rest be always peaceful.

Officer Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

March 7, 2025