Willis Bernice Herrington
Agency patch
Constable

Willis Bernice Herrington

Felonious
End of Watch April 13, 1951
The Vigil Panel 87 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable Willis Herrington was shot and killed while attempting to serve a writ on a man allowing seizure of a wagon on which $25 was owed. Constable Herrington located the man in the Skiffer community between McGree and Prentiss. When the man interfered with the service, Constable Herrington and his brother tried to arrest him. The man resisted, ran into his house, grabbed a shotgun, and opened fire. Constable Herrington was killed instantly and his brother was seriously wounded. The 24-year-old subject was apprehended two days later near Prentiss. He was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair on July 25th, 1952.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-C48DB1B8
Stewardship
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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.
Constable Herrington served with the Simpson County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mendenhall community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Herrington.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Mendenhall, MS
Platform Identity scco.simpson.ms.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 13, 1951
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun

Constable Willis Bernice Herrington 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 MS, 243 of 350 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this state's fallen. That is 69.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Simpson County Constable's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Simpson County Constable's Office
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
MS — Statewide
243
of 350 officers
69.4% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willis Bernice Herrington's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Willis Bernice Herrington Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willis Bernice Herrington is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willis Bernice Herrington was killed by shotgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Simpson County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.