Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Welch was shot and killed as he and several other deputies raided a still 16 miles south of Crossville.
The deputies had positioned themselves inside of a small house that sat above the still. The suspects, who had been warned that the deputies were in the area, approached the house cautiously and observed the men inside. One of the suspects opened fire with a shotgun at the same time that Deputy Welch returned fire with a rifle. Both men were struck. The other deputies also returned fire, killing both suspects.
Deputy Welch was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Welch was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-35A652E9- 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 Welch served with the White County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sparta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Welch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William C. Welch 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At White 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 C. Welch's cause is highlighted.
How William C. Welch Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William C. Welch is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William C. Welch was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from White County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
