Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant William Collins and his wife, a civilian employee of the department, were shot and killed by a mentally deranged man who had stalked and ambushed them.
Sergeant Collins, who was off-duty, attempted to protect his wife when the suspect opened fire with a shotgun. He was struck in the face and killed.
The assailant was charged with the murders and testified at his trial that he had shot the officer and his wife because they worked for the sheriff's department. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to two life sentences.
Sergeant Collins had served with the Hardin County Sheriff's Office for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children, parents, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-D87C66D5- 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.
Sergeant Collins gave the Hardin County Sheriff's Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabethtown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Collins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William J. Collins Jr. 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hardin County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Collins Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William J. Collins Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Collins Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Collins Jr. was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hardin County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
