Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William May was shot and killed in LaCrosse, Florida, while attempting to arrest a man for threatening his own family and for threatening to kill any officers who attempted arrest him.
Deputy May was off duty, attending church, when he was notified of the incident. He went to the home where the family lived and knocked on the door. The subject opened the door with his hand in his pocket. When Deputy May told him he was under arrest the pulled out a handgun and shot him twice. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy May was able to return fire and killed the subject.
Deputy May had only served with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office for five months and had previously served as a county constable in the LaCrosse District.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, three brothers, three half brothers, one half sister, and grandfather.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-7C6E336D- 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 May served with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff May.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Arthur May 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Alachua County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Arthur May's cause is highlighted.
How William Arthur May Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Arthur May is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Arthur May was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Alachua County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
