Lieutenant Edwin Bryson Mitchell, Jr., Atlanta Police Department, Georgia

Lieutenant Edwin Bryson Mitchell, Jr.

Atlanta Police Department, Georgia

End of Watch Wednesday, May 17, 1967

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Edwin Bryson Mitchell, Jr.

Lieutenant Edwin Mitchell was shot and killed while investigating a burglary on Rawson Street, SW, in Atlanta at 4:20 a.m.

He was shot and killed as he arrived on the scene, even before exiting his patrol car. He had parked beside a parked car. The suspect, sitting in the car, opened fire through Lieutenant Mitchell's driver's side window. Lieutenant Mitchell, shot in the head, was killed instantly.

The suspect, 24, was found minutes later hiding in the attic of a nearby building. He had the murder weapon in his possession. Two weeks earlier, he escaped from the Oglethorpe County work camp, where he was serving a 13-year sentence for burglary and car theft. On June 21, 1967, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On December 19, 1968, he was sentence was commuted to life. As of October 9, 1987, he was in prison.

Lieutenant Mitchell was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Atlanta Police Department for five years. He was survived by his expectant wife and twin daughters.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 5 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life

escapee, investigation, robbery

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Most Recent Reflection

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Bryson, Diane, Gina and Pam were our neighbors on North VA Ave. We loved them! Bryson was adored and admired by all of the neighborhood kids; we would run over there when Bryson came home, and hang out with him as he sat in their backyard while the twins were playing. Gina and Pam were so cute and smart and our family would stand with them at the fence and ask them about their day. In particular, I remember that Bryson had a football scholarship to Ga.Tech and he was injured. He was offered his scholarship regardless of being able to play, but he felt it was better for an active player to receive it. Bryson joined the Atlanta Police and was the top marksman in the force. On the night of his murder, he was off duty and heard the call. He offered to go by there and check it out, and said, "I'll let you know if an on-duty officer is needed." In the ambush, he never had time to draw his weapon, and fingernail scratches were found on his holster. That funeral was the saddest I have ever been to. The kids in our neighborhood were devastated at losing our friend. I pray that the girls are blessed in life.

Wayne Krantz
Next door neighbor

September 29, 2025