Investigator Sherry Elizabeth Lyons-Williams
Atlanta Police Department
Georgia
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 4, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, April 4, 2001
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Investigator Sherry Lyons-Williams was shot and killed while she and and another narcotics investigator attempted to make an arrest at approximately 1500 hours.

The officers had purchased drugs from the residence earlier in the day during an undercover operation and returned to the home for the arrest. As the officers were securing the stairway to the basement, the suspect opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun striking Investigator Lyons-Williams in the chest and her partner in the leg and face. The rounds which struck Officer Lyons-Williams bypassed her vest. Her wounded partner was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Both officers were transported to a local hospital where Investigator Lyons-Williams was pronounced dead.

Investigator Lyons-Williams is the first female officer from her agency to be killed in the line of duty. She had been employed with the Atlanta Police Department for 13 years, and is survived by her husband.