Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bill Lea was shot and killed while serving divorce papers after a woman called to report her estranged husband was at the house. Deputy Lea and the Polk County sheriff responded to serve the husband with the papers. When they arrived, they noticed the husband's car was not in the area. Deputy Lea walked up on the porch with the sheriff to his right with his back to the wall. The wife opened the door and a male voice said, "I'm going to kill you!" The husband drew a gun from behind his wife and fired, hitting Deputy Lea in the chest. The sheriff was able to grab the gun and pull the suspect from the house. After a long struggle, the sheriff was able to subdue and handcuff the suspect. Deputy Lea died at the scene from his wounds. The suspect was tried and convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Survivors
Deputy Bill Lea was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-269F8BAB- 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 Lea served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mena community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lea.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bill Jean Lea 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 12.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Polk County Sheriff'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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bill Jean Lea's cause is highlighted.
How Bill Jean Lea Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bill Jean Lea is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bill Jean Lea was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
