Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Dillemuth was shot and killed by ambush while attempting to serve a warrant at 5011 Kraus Road in Clarence. The suspect had failed to appear in court for narcotics possession. At 1:30 p.m., Deputy Dillemuth and another deputy parked their patrol vehicles, and while walking to the house, they were both struck by gunfire. The deputy was able to flee back to his patrol vehicle and call for assistance. When responding officers arrived, they were unable to get to Deputy Dillemuth due to the barrage of gunfire from the suspect for over 30 minutes. Deputy Dillemuth was transported to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, where he died at 3:15 p.m. The other deputy was shot in the abdomen but survived his wounds. The suspect barricaded himself in the house for over nine hours. He was convicted of Deputy Dillemuth's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2039. Deputy Dillemuth had served with the Erie County Sheriff's Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-3D481574- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Dillemuth gave the Erie County Sheriff's Office 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Dillemuth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William M. Dillemuth served in the U.S. Navy (1964â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy William M. Dillemuth 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Erie County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 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 M. Dillemuth's cause is highlighted.
How William M. Dillemuth Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William M. Dillemuth is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William M. Dillemuth was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
William M. Dillemuth served in the U.S. Navy (1964–1966) before joining law enforcement.
Visit William M. Dillemuth’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Erie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
