Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Langston was shot and killed by an escaped Georgia convict at a turpentine camp outside of Spring Hill. The sheriff had received information that the suspect was at a particular location. While Sheriff Langston searched a shed the suspect ambushed him and shot him in the side before escaping. On June 6, 1909, a mob of men stormed the county jail and lynched the suspect.
Survivors
Sheriff Langston was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-2BB062D1- 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.
Sheriff Langston served with the Leon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Langston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Willie M. Langston 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 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 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Leon County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willie M. Langston's cause is highlighted.
How Willie M. Langston Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by mob
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willie M. Langston is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willie M. Langston was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Leon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
