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William A. Maxwell
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Maxwell was shot and killed by one of five prisoners making their escape from the county jail on 3rd Street S E in Le Mars.
Deputy Maxwell and his father, who was the sheriff, had entered the jail to feed the prisoners when one opened fire with a smuggled pistol. Deputy Maxwell was killed, and his father was seriously wounded. All five subjects were captured near Maurice two days later.
A week later, all five prisoners were convicted of Deputy Maxwell's murder and sentenced to life. On December 25th, 1920, three escaped from Fort Madison Penitentiary. Two were recaptured, and one was shot and killed. One died in prison on January 13th, 1943. One was paroled on February 9th, 1939, and another was paroled in 1957. The subject who provided the pistol was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Deputy Maxwell was a WWI veteran and went to work for his father as a deputy after being discharged from the Army in April of 1919.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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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. Army. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Maxwell served with the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Le Mars community. Thank you 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 A. Maxwell served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Plymouth County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
William is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 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 1919, 3 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 21. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. William had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 21. 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 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 21. 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 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Fridays: 14%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Plymouth County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 2.3% 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; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
William A. Maxwell served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit William A. Maxwell’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
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Also Remembered
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