William L. Shields

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Date of Birth: 
1909
Date of Death: 
April 13, 1954
Location of Death: 
Carroll County, GA

Circumstances of Death

Special Agents William LeRoy Shields and Jesse Thrasher were patrolling the highways for bootleggers hauling liquor in Haralson County, Georgia. During their patrol, the agents got into a high speed pursuit of a 1950 Oldsmobile, driven by Guy (Crash) Waller, a well known bootlegger. During the pursuit, both vehicles crashed at the intersection of Temple Road and Rt. 101, on the Carroll-Paulding County line. Agent Shields was killed instantly. Agent Thrasher and Guy Waller were seriously injured and taken to Villa Rica Hospital. Numerous broken glass jugs of moonshine were later found inside Waller's car.

Background

Agent Shields joined the Alcohol Tax Unit on December 12, 1949.

Personal

Agent Shields was born in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. He was survived by his wife, Flora (née Grimes) and their son, Maurie.

Associated Artifacts: 
The Atlanta Constitution, dated April 15, 1954, with headline, U.S. Agent Killed Pursuing Waller
The Atlanta Constitution, dated April 15, 1954, with headline, Roy Shields Rites Today
Newspaper article with headline, U.S. Agent Killed Pursuing Waller
Newspaper article with headline, Roy Shields Rites Today
Last Reviewed July 17, 2020