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William Ross Stewart Jr.
Incident
Agent Bill Stewart was shot and killed as he and members of the Woodward Police Department conducted a narcotics operation at a local chain restaurant in Woodward. Agent Stewart and one of the detectives approached the suspect, who was sitting in a van parked in the parking lot. As the three talked, the man fired a 12-gauge shotgun, killing Agent Stewart and wounding the detective. The suspect fled the scene and buried the shotgun. He was arrested a short time later, and the murder weapon was recovered. The man was convicted of Agent Stewart's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He has a parole hearing in November 2016. Agent Stewart was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control for 3 and a half years and previously served with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by three daughters and a granddaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Agent Stewart gave the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control 13 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Ross Stewart Jr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 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 1985, 3 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 41. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 41. 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 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 41. 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 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William Ross Stewart Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Ross Stewart Jr.’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 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control are honored on badge.nw.
