Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Lester was shot and killed while raiding a liquor still at Barkers Ridge. State police apprehended the suspect.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-AB44033D- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Lester served with the Wyoming County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lester.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William M. Lester 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wyoming County Sheriff's 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 M. Lester's cause is highlighted.
How William M. Lester Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William M. Lester is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William M. Lester was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wyoming County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
