Roll of Honor
William Henry Rafford
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Rafford was shot and killed when he went to the home of a man to serve a civil court summons at a farm in Aquebogue, New York. Deputy Rafford entered the suspect's home and presented him with a court summons. The suspect went into another room and when he returned he shot Deputy Rafford twice with a double-barreled shotgun. The man then dragged Deputy Rafford's body outside. When other deputies arrived, the suspect refused to surrender. All the windows of the suspect's home were broken by deputies in an effort to freeze the suspect out. After an overnight standoff, the suspect surrendered. The suspect was later judged to be insane by the Lunacy Commission and sent to the Matteawan State Hospital for Insane Criminals. Deputy Rafford was a military veteran. He had served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office for 15 years and also served as the warden for the Suffolk County Jail at the time of his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-C610B3DE- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Rafford gave the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Henry Rafford served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff William Henry Rafford 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 97,759 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 Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Henry Rafford's cause is highlighted.
How William Henry Rafford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Henry Rafford is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Henry Rafford was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
William Henry Rafford served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Henry Rafford’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Suffolk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
