Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Dils was shot and killed while investigating a burglary at a residence in North Collins. He was shot once in the abdomen through a closed bedroom door. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The killer was sentenced to 25 years to life. He has a parole hearing in May of 2012. Deputy Dils was a WWII veteran and had been employed with the Erie County Sheriff's Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, sons, and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-951CD92D- 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, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dils gave the Erie County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dils.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William R. Dils served in the U.S. Navy (1945â1947) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff William R. Dils 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 R. Dils's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Dils Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Dils is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William R. Dils was killed by gun.
Military Service
William R. Dils served in the U.S. Navy (1945–1947) before joining law enforcement.
Visit William R. Dils’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.
