Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Edwards was shot and killed while assisting at the scene of a hostage situation at a lodge in Sublette County. Four days earlier, a man, 27, and a 14-year-old youth kidnapped a woman, 42, and her 12-year-old daughter from their home in Pasadena, Texas. They forced her to drive them in her car into Wyoming along with her daughter and a 13-year-old girl who was the youth's step-sister. They stopped at the Battle Mountain Lodge just outside of Jackson Hole with the intention of robbing it. Once inside an argument began involving the two suspects and the girl with them. It ended with the suspects shooting the little girl five times killing her. Minutes later the Teton County Sheriff stopped in the parking lot to investigate the theft of a horse trailer when a customer yelled at him to take cover and call for help. Soon the lodge was surrounded by several deputies and state troopers and a gun battle erupted, Deputy Edwards ran into the lodge and was killed. After several more shots from both sides the suspects, outgunned surrendered. The man, 27, was convicted of second degree murder, rape, and aggravated robbery, and sentenced to 91 years. On January 27, 1971, he was charged by Texas officials with kidnapping and robbery. On April 4, 1973, he was convicted of kidnapping and robbery and sentence to 100 years in a Texas prison. At some point between 1973 and 1984 he was released. On September 24, 1990, he kidnapped and robbed a woman in Austin, Texas. An hour later the woman escaped. Later that day he was apprehended by police in Austin near William Cannon Drive, The 14-year-old was convicted of second degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to life. Both suspects were not charged with Deputy Edward's murder because it could not be determined who fired the fatal shot, the officers or the suspects. His death was ruled an accident.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-WY-8C8CC437- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Edwards served with the Teton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson 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 H. Edwards 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 WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Teton County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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 H. Edwards's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Edwards Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Edwards is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Edwards was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Teton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
