Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Pledger was shot and killed while checking on road houses and night spots in the Bayou Gorge area. At approximately 1:00 am he became engaged in an altercation with two brothers at the Night Owl Club, a roadhouse near Panama City. One of the men produced a handgun and shot both his brother and Deputy Pledger, killing them both. The suspect, 28, was convicted of Sheriff Pledger's murder and sentenced to death. The Florida Supreme Court granted a new trial and on April 4, 1937, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on February 4, 1938. Deputy Pledger had served with the Bay County Sheriff's Office for approximately nine months.
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BO-US-FL-54F001CE- Stewardship
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- 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 Pledger served with the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Panama City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pledger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William D. Pledger 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 Bay County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William D. Pledger's cause is highlighted.
How William D. Pledger Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William D. Pledger is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William D. Pledger was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Bay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
