Roll of Honor
Don Richard Williams
Incident
Chief of Police Don Williams and Game Warden Eugene Sara, of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call near the intersection of Haley Avenue and Spruce Street. The suspect had already shot Chief Williams and stolen his weapon. As Warden Sara and a county sheriff's deputy arrived at the scene the suspect opened fire on them, mortally wounding Warden Sara. Warden Sara and the deputy were able to return fire, killing the suspect. Warden Sara's wife was working as a dispatcher on the night of the incident and dispatched the officers on the call.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-333B5E9B- Stewardship
- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Williams served with the Thompson Falls Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Thompson Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Don Richard Williams is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 65.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Don Richard Williams's cause is highlighted.
How Don Richard Williams Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Don Richard Williams is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Don Richard Williams was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Thompson Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.