Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal William Lea was shot and killed in an act of revenge while patrolling the town at approximately 7:00 pm.
Several weeks prior a man had been fined $50 after being arrested by Marshal Lea for selling whiskey. The man held a grudge against Marshal Lea and earlier in the day he and several friends got drunk and threatened him.
Marshal Lea continued patrolling the town and was walking front of the man's store when he was shot through the head with a .38 caliber rifle. The man was charged with Marshal Lea's murder but was acquitted.
Marshal Lea was survived by his wife and 12 children.
Survivors
Marshal Lea was survived by his wife and 12 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-F0BAA8F3- 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.
Town Marshal Lea served with the Kentwood Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kentwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Lea.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William Lattimore Lea 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kentwood Police Department, 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 Lattimore Lea's cause is highlighted.
How William Lattimore Lea Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Lattimore Lea is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Lattimore Lea was killed by rifle; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kentwood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
