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Incident
Reserve Officer Bill Sutherlin was shot and killed after locating a fugitive who was the focus of a police manhunt. Officer Sutherlin and several other officers went to the aid of a state trooper who had a suspected car thief trapped in a corn field. Officer Sutherlin had radioed for help saying the suspect was holding a gun on him. Minutes later when the suspect was captured he told where Officer Sutherlin's body could be found. He had been shot through the head. Officer Sutherlin was a veteran of WWII and had served as a volunteer reserve officer with the Fairfield Police Department for six years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Reserve Officer Sutherlin gave the Fairfield Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfield 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
Billy Sutherlin served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Billy is the only officer of Fairfield Police Department remembered here.
Billy is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Billy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Billy 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 1970, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Billy was 48. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Billy had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Billy was 48. 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. Billy had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Billy was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Billy had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.3% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fairfield Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 18.6% 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
Billy Sutherlin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Billy Sutherlin’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 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Fairfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.