Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Adams was shot and killed by a man he and another deputy cornered in a vacant house following his escape from the Thurston County Jail.
The suspect, who was awaiting transfer to the state penitentiary to begin serving 20 years for statutory rape, turned himself over to officers five days later. He was convicted of Deputy Adams' murder and sentenced to an additional 15 years.
Rest in peace and know that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 24th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NE-82B25F4D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Adams served with the Thurston County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pender community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Adams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Adams is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Thurston County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Adams's cause is highlighted.
How William Adams Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Adams is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Adams was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Thurston County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
