Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Wiley Pierce and Deputy Robert Crain were shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men for making moonshine.
One of the men produced a handgun and opened fire, killing both deputies. The suspects attempted to hide Deputy Crain's body under the carcass of a dead cow and they buried Deputy Pierce's body in a swamp.
Both men were convicted of the murders and sentenced to death on March 23, 1923. One of the men was hanged on August 31, 1923. The other's sentence was commuted to life. On December 20, 1926, he was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate.
Deputy Pierce was survived by his wife and six children. Deputy Pierce is buried in Morris Cemetery, Washington Parrish, Louisiana.
Survivors
Deputy Pierce was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-7A4842D5- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Pierce served with the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Franklinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pierce.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Wiley Pierce 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Washington Parish Sheriff's Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wiley Pierce's cause is highlighted.
How Wiley Pierce Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wiley Pierce is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wiley Pierce was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Washington Parish Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
