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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Edwards was shot and killed while assisting at the scene of a hostage situation at a lodge in Sublette County. Four days earlier, a man, 27, and a 14-year-old youth kidnapped a woman, 42, and her 12-year-old daughter from their home in Pasadena, Texas. They forced her to drive them in her car into Wyoming along with her daughter and a 13-year-old girl who was the youth's step-sister. They stopped at the Battle Mountain Lodge just outside of Jackson Hole with the intention of robbing it. Once inside an argument began involving the two suspects and the girl with them. It ended with the suspects shooting the little girl five times killing her. Minutes later the Teton County Sheriff stopped in the parking lot to investigate the theft of a horse trailer when a customer yelled at him to take cover and call for help. Soon the lodge was surrounded by several deputies and state troopers and a gun battle erupted, Deputy Edwards ran into the lodge and was killed. After several more shots from both sides the suspects, outgunned surrendered. The man, 27, was convicted of second degree murder, rape, and aggravated robbery, and sentenced to 91 years. On January 27, 1971, he was charged by Texas officials with kidnapping and robbery. On April 4, 1973, he was convicted of kidnapping and robbery and sentence to 100 years in a Texas prison. At some point between 1973 and 1984 he was released. On September 24, 1990, he kidnapped and robbed a woman in Austin, Texas. An hour later the woman escaped. Later that day he was apprehended by police in Austin near William Cannon Drive, The 14-year-old was convicted of second degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to life. Both suspects were not charged with Deputy Edward's murder because it could not be determined who fired the fatal shot, the officers or the suspects. His death was ruled an accident.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Edwards served with the Teton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Edwards.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Teton County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 41 officers killed feloniously in WY, 65.1% of the 63 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 1 officer in WY was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 30 years on record. The heaviest was 1903, with 5.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 35. Of the 32 killed feloniously in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 41.5.
William was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 12.2% of these deaths in WY; March holds the most, 14.6%. Tuesdays: 12.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Teton County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.1% of all 63 deaths in WY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 14.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Teton County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Teton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
