Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant William Cross was fatally stabbed while assisting other officers during a disturbance at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. One inmate was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with Sergeant Cross' death. The inmate committed suicide in his cell after being convicted. A second inmate, who was the brother of the convicted inmate, was acquitted of murder charges. Sergeant Cross had served with the Washington State Department of Corrections for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-A506B446- 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.
Sergeant Cross gave the Washington State Department of Corrections 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Cross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William Cross 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Washington State Department of Corrections, 6 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Cross's cause is highlighted.
How William Cross Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Cross is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Cross was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Washington State Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
