Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Perry was shot and killed and another deputy was critically wounded when they attempted to arrest a man who had drawn his gun on another man in a restaurant.
The 18-year-old suspect attempted to flee from the deputies and exchanged shots with both as they chased him. Deputy Perry was killed and the second deputy was wounded. The man later turned himself in and was charged with murdering Deputy Perry. The suspect, son of a prominent lawyer, told officials he did not know they were deputies. He was tried and acquitted.
Deputy Perry was survived by his wife, three sons, and six daughters.
Survivors
Deputy Perry was survived by his wife, three sons, and six daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-07B250E1- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Perry served with the Wolfe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Campton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Perry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Jefferson Perry 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wolfe County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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 Jefferson Perry's cause is highlighted.
How William Jefferson Perry Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Jefferson Perry is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wolfe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
