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Incident
Master Deputy William Marsh died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Master Deputy Marsh had served with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office for nine years and had previously served with the Cleveland Police Department for 11 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Master Deputy William Edward Marsh died on October 10, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 40.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
Master Deputy Marsh is survived by his wife and child.
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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Master Deputy Marsh gave the Rowan County Sheriff's Office 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salisbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Deputy Marsh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Rowan County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
William is one of 37 officers lost to illness in NC, 5.6% of the 664 remembered there.
William is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 19 officers in NC were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
William was 40. Of the 37 lost to illness in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 57; the middle age was 50. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
William was 40. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
William was 40. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
October holds 29.7% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Sundays: 10.8%.
October holds 14.9% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.2%.
October holds 12.6% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 12.5% of all 8 deaths at Rowan County Sheriff's Office, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 5.6% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Rowan County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Rowan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
