Roll of Honor
William Joseph Heffernan
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Heffernan and Deputy Sheriff John Saxerud were shot and killed by a man they had arrested for drunk driving. As they took the man into the processing area of the jail, the man pulled out a concealed handgun and shot them both, killing them almost instantly. The suspect was convicted of two counts of aggravated first-degree murder and sentenced to two life terms. Deputy Heffernan was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Island County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-AC4B4695- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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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 Heffernan gave the Island County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Coupeville 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 Joseph Heffernan served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff William Joseph Heffernan 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Island 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 Joseph Heffernan's cause is highlighted.
How William Joseph Heffernan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Joseph Heffernan is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Joseph Heffernan was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
William Joseph Heffernan served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Joseph Heffernan’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Island County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
