In the small town of Whigham, Georgia, a routine patrol on an April evening in 1980 took a tragic turn, ending the life of a dedicated public servant. Milwood L. Stokes, a 50-year-old white male, served as the Chief of Police. On the evening of Sunday, April 6, 1980, Chief Stokes was on duty, accompanied by a city councilman. Their attention was drawn to a truck speeding through the town, prompting them to initiate a traffic stop.
The driver of the truck refused to comply, leading to a
high-speed pursuit that concluded at a residence. As Chief Stokes approached the vehicle, the driver opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with birdshot, inflicting a fatal wound upon the chief. The city councilman who was with him was also wounded by shrapnel during the assault.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement was able to take the suspect into custody. The individual was subsequently charged with the murder of Chief Stokes. Following a trial, the suspect was convicted of the crime and received a sentence of life in prison. Chief Stokes, a United States Army veteran, had a long career in law enforcement, having served with the Attapulgus Police Department for nine years before his two years with the Whigham Police Department. He was survived by his wife and nine children.
