Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Rainbolt was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was carrying a revolver at a dance in southwest Roswell.
It was not legal to carry guns in town. After ordering the man into the deputy's buggy to be taken to jail, the man's brother came out of the dance and tried to interfere. When Deputy Rainbolt refused to release the prisoner, the brother pulled out a revolver and opened fire, striking Deputy Rainbolt.
Both brothers fled the area and remained at large for two years. The brother who shot Deputy Rainbolt was finally arrested in North Dakota and returned to Chaves County to face charges of first-degree murder. He was originally convicted of third-degree murder but won a second trial on appeal. He was acquitted of first-degree murder during the second trial and was freed.
Deputy Rainbolt had served with the Chaves County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-2ECD4359- 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 Rainbolt gave the Chaves County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roswell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rainbolt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Joyce Rainbolt 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 63.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Chaves County Sheriff's Department, 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 Joyce Rainbolt's cause is highlighted.
How William Joyce Rainbolt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Joyce Rainbolt is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Joyce Rainbolt was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Chaves County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
