Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Shoemake was shot and killed by a liquor dealer who walked into a tavern and shot him four times.
The subject was upset that Deputy Shoemake had arrested him for a weapons offense a few months earlier. He purchased a new gun, and when he entered the tavern, he fired four times before Deputy Shoemake noticed him. Deputy Shoemake died instantly.
The subject fled the area but was captured by a posse almost two months later. He was convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed by hanging.
Deputy Shoemake had served with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and 12 siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-6A31C513- 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 Shoemake served with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lake Charles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Shoemake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Shoemake 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Dept., 6 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Shoemake's cause is highlighted.
How William Shoemake Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Shoemake is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
