Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Willie Denson was shot and killed with his own service revolver shortly after arresting a suspect.
He had placed the suspect in his patrol car but the man began to struggle with the officer. The suspect was able to gain control of Officer Denson's service weapon and shot him.
The 21-year-old suspect was was apprehended two weeks later in Lynchburg, Virginia.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-A796320C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Willie. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Denson served with the Daytona Beach Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Daytona Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Denson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Willie R. Denson 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 Daytona Beach Police Department, 8 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willie R. Denson's cause is highlighted.
How Willie R. Denson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willie R. Denson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willie R. Denson was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Daytona Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
