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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Pledger was shot and killed while checking on road houses and night spots in the Bayou Gorge area. At approximately 1:00 am he became engaged in an altercation with two brothers at the Night Owl Club, a roadhouse near Panama City. One of the men produced a handgun and shot both his brother and Deputy Pledger, killing them both. The suspect, 28, was convicted of Sheriff Pledger's murder and sentenced to death. The Florida Supreme Court granted a new trial and on April 4, 1937, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on February 4, 1938. Deputy Pledger had served with the Bay County Sheriff's Office for approximately nine months.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Pledger served with the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Panama City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pledger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bay County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer in FL was killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Mondays: 10.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Bay County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Bay County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Bay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
