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Incident
Deputy Sergeant William Cook was shot and killed by a prisoner who was attempting to escape from the city jail at the intersection of Court Street and Patton Street, where the Municipal Building currently stands.
The prisoner, who had just been sentenced to the penitentiary for burglary, had obtained a pistol that had been smuggled into the jail by a female acquaintance. He shot Deputy Sergeant Cook three times and then fled from the jail.
The man committed suicide the following day after being surrounded by a posse inside a home on Washington Street. The woman who smuggled the gun to the prisoner was convicted of being an accessory before the fact and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Deputy Sergeant Cook was murdered four days before his 55th birthday.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sergeant Cook served with the Danville Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Danville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Danville Sheriff's Office remembered here.
William is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 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 1896, 1 officer in VA was killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1896, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1896, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 54. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 54. 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 was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Danville Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
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