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William Thomas Whitehead
Incident
Detective William Whitehead drowned after being beaten unconscious, handcuffed, and pushed into a river by two suspects. Detective Whitehead was questioning the two men outside of a bar on suspicion of sexually assaulting a juvenile female. The two men attacked him and handcuffed him behind the back with his own handcuffs. They then threw him into the New River, under the Old Bridge at Court Street. A medical examination determined that Detective Whitehead was alive when he was thrown into the river. Both suspects, Marine Corps deserters, ages 23 and 24, were apprehended on February 17, 1983. One was apprehended in Davenport, Iowa, and the other in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One of the suspects was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in January 2015. The other suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years. He was paroled on September 7th, 1988. Detective Whitehead was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Jacksonville Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife. A week before his death, he was awarded the J. Edger Hoover Distinguished Service Award for his work on a string of armed robberies, 11 rapes, and several homicides.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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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.
Detective Whitehead gave the Jacksonville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community, and for your service before it. 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 Thomas Whitehead served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jacksonville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 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 1981, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Thursdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Jacksonville Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.6% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Jacksonville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William Thomas Whitehead served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Thomas Whitehead’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
1 officer from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
