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William Herman Edwards III
Incident
Officer William Edwards was killed while assisting with the funeral escort for a Hanover County, Virginia, sheriff's deputy. The accident occurred when a flatbed wrecker truck pulled in front of the procession as it attempted to turn into a business, at 12167 Washington Highway in Ashland, and struck the motorcycle that Officer Edwards was operating. Officer Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was convicted of several misdemeanor traffic violations. Patrolman Edwards was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Henrico County Police Department for 29 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
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. Navy. 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.
Officer Edwards gave the Henrico County Police Department 29 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond 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 Herman Edwards III served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Henrico County Police Department has lost 10 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 1 officer at Henrico County Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 50. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Henrico County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 26; the middle age was 26. William had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 1.1 years.
William was 50. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 50. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 50. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Henrico County Police Department; August holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 40%.
February holds 6.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Mondays: 10.8%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 10 deaths at Henrico County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Henrico County Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, William among them.
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John H. Yarbrough
Jul 6, 1895
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Lewis Ray Beddow
Sep 8, 1946
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Wellford Early Green
Dec 22, 1948
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Jerry Edwin Trimmer
Aug 15, 1966
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Barry Wayne Maham
Aug 8, 1978
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Donald A. Stillman
Nov 8, 1984
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John Patrick Harris
Aug 19, 1994
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William Herman Edwards, III
Feb 2, 1998
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Andre Gerard Booker
Jan 12, 2003
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Trey Marshall Sutton
Mar 31, 2022
Where
Military Service
William Herman Edwards III served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Herman Edwards III’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Henrico County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
