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Incident
Deputy William Dillemuth was shot and killed by ambush while attempting to serve a warrant at 5011 Kraus Road in Clarence. The suspect had failed to appear in court for narcotics possession. At 1:30 p.m., Deputy Dillemuth and another deputy parked their patrol vehicles, and while walking to the house, they were both struck by gunfire. The deputy was able to flee back to his patrol vehicle and call for assistance. When responding officers arrived, they were unable to get to Deputy Dillemuth due to the barrage of gunfire from the suspect for over 30 minutes. Deputy Dillemuth was transported to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, where he died at 3:15 p.m. The other deputy was shot in the abdomen but survived his wounds. The suspect barricaded himself in the house for over nine hours. He was convicted of Deputy Dillemuth's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2039. Deputy Dillemuth had served with the Erie County Sheriff's Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Dillemuth gave the Erie County Sheriff's Office 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Dillemuth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Martin Dillemuth served in the U.S. Navy (1964â1966) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Erie County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1989, 1 officer at Erie County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 11 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 44. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Erie County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 49; the middle age was 44. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
William was 44. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 44. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Erie County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 20%.
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Erie County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Erie County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William Martin Dillemuth served in the U.S. Navy (1964–1966) before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Martin Dillemuth’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Erie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
