Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Mast was shot and killed as he responded to a 911 call with an open line at a trailer home on Hardin Road in Deep Gap, North Carolina, at approximately 1:00 am.
Upon arriving at the scene he began walking towards the house when he was shot in the face. It is believed the subject who shot him intentionally ambushed him. Another deputy with him returned fire killing the suspect.
Deputy Mast had served with the Watauga County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife, parents, and sibling.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-442E067A- 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 Mast gave the Watauga County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boone community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mast.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Ronald Mast Jr. 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Watauga County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Ronald Mast Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Ronald Mast Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Ronald Mast Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Ronald Mast Jr. was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Watauga County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
