Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff William Jones was shot and killed as he and a deputy attempted to arrest a man who had just murdered his wife and brother-in-law, and seriously wounded his sister-in-law.
The man had gone on a rampage and destroyed the contents of his home with an axe before committing the murders.
Sheriff Jones and the deputy went their separate ways as they arrived at the man's home. Sheriff Jones approached the front door as the deputy approached the back door. Just as the sheriff opened the screen door, the suspect appeared and fired a blast from his shotgun, instantly killing the sheriff.
The suspect fled the scene but was chased by a posse of citizens. He was caught in a nearby field and shot over 50 times by the citizens.
Sheriff Jones was serving his first term as sheriff when he was murdered.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-1321322D- 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.
Sheriff Jones served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Opelika community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Jones.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William S. Jones 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lee 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 S. Jones's cause is highlighted.
How William S. Jones Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William S. Jones is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William S. Jones was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
