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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Stiles was shot and killed while serving civil papers to the owner of a ranch 90 miles northwest of Winnemucca, Nevada. The man opened fire on Deputy Stiles, striking him three times, as he walked from the ranch house to the barn. A suspect was charged with Deputy Stiles' murder but acquitted at trial. Deputy Stiles had been a former member of the Arizona Rangers and had been deputized by the Sheriff to serve the court papers. Deputy Stiles is reportedly buried in an unmarked/unknown grave in Old Pioneer Cemetery, Winnemucca, Humboldt County, Nevada.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Stiles served with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Winnemucca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stiles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer in NV was killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 37. Of the 70 killed feloniously in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 37.
William was 37. 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 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 11% of these deaths in NV; October holds the most, 13.4%. Sundays: 19.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 15.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Humboldt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
