William A. Myers
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Billy Myers succumbed to a gunshot wound he received on October 18, 1963, during a domestic disturbance with a subject who had a history of mental issues at a farm near La Forge. When Deputy Myers and his partner were placing the subject in their patrol vehicle, taking him to the state hospital at Farmington, a struggle ensued, and Deputy Myers was shot. The suspect also fired at the other deputy but missed. His family attempted to subdue him, but he shot and killed himself. Deputy Myers was shot in the back, paralyzing him. He was transported to Baptist Hospital in Memphis, where he died from his wound 19 days later. Deputy Myers was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office for over three years. He was hired to replace Deputy Sheriff Cleatus L. Phillips, who was killed on September 12, 1960. Deputy Myers had also served as a city marshal in Portageville and New Madrid.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-9BF7B7D6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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 Myers gave the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Madrid 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 A. Myers served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff William A. Myers is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Madrid County Sheriff's Dept., 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 A. Myers's cause is highlighted.
How William A. Myers Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed Suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. Myers is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William A. Myers was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Madrid County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.