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William Conway Keirsey
Incident
Deputy William Keirsey was shot and killed while he and the undersheriff were questioning two brothers about a stolen car at their home. Several days later one of the suspects was shot and killed by police in Wichita, Kansas. The other suspect was apprehended in Hereford, Texas. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. On September 3, 1934, he died in prison at the age of 23 of complications from a stroke. Deputy Keirsey's uncle, police officer Ben Collins, of the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, was shot and killed in the line of duty on August 1, 1906. His brother, Patrolman Jim Keirsey, was also shot and killed in the line of duty the previous year while serving with the Seminole Police Department. Deputy Keirsey, A WWI veteran, had been employed with the Carter County Sheriff's Office for ten years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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 Keirsey gave the Carter County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ardmore 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 Conway Keirsey served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Carter County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 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 1930, 15 officers in OK were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 36. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 36. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 36. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Carter County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Military Service
William Conway Keirsey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Conway Keirsey’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
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