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Incident
Chief Terry was accidentally shot and killed with his own service weapon while attempting to place it in his holster. He was just returning to duty after eating lunch at home and bent down to pick something up. As he did so his gun slipped out of his shoulder holster. When he attempted to re-holster it his finger brushed the trigger, discharging the weapon.
Survivors
Chief Terry had been with the agency for one year and was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Terry gave the Colville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Colville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Terry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Colville Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 3 officers in WA were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1911, 29 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 115th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1911, 42 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 44. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Mondays: 9.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Colville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Colville Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Colville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
