Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Edwards was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest three men for public drunkenness in Benton, California.
The three men had harassed a young woman near the town's depot before they were runoff by two citizens. The citizens told Deputy Edwards of the encounter and then accompanied him back to the area to arrest the men.
During the arrest one of the men began to struggle with Deputy Edwards, disarmed him of his rifle, and then fatally shot him. One of the citizens then grabbed the rifle, and when neither man could take control of it, mutually agreed to empty the remaining rounds. Once the rounds were removed the two citizens fled the area and notified the sheriff. All three men were arrested and charged in connection with Deputy Edwards' murder. The subject who shot him was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison. A second subject was sentenced to eight months for assault.
Deputy Edwards was survived by his wife, two adopted children, and his parents.
Survivors
Deputy Edwards was survived by his wife, two adopted children, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-DB1CA88C- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Edwards served with the Mono County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bridgeport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Edwards.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Franklin Edwards 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Mono 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 Franklin Edwards's cause is highlighted.
How William Franklin Edwards Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Franklin Edwards is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Franklin Edwards was killed by officer's rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Mono County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
