Roland Peter Williamson
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Roland Peter Williamson

Washington County Sheriff's Office — Fayetteville, AR
Felonious
End of Watch November 7, 1995
Age 22
Tour of Duty 9 mo
Badge 178
The Vigil Panel 142 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Roland Williamson was shot and killed by a prisoner during an escape attempt during a visit to a urology clinic at 1300 East Zion Road. The prisoner was able to disarm Deputy Williamson and fatally shot him. As the man attempted to flee from the medical office another patient began struggling with him but was also shot and killed. The prisoner then stole the man's truck and fled. He committed suicide moments later when other deputies surrounded him. Deputy Williamson had served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office for nine months.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-42FAE2A0
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roland. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Williamson served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Williamson.

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

Agency

Location Fayetteville, AR
Platform Identity wcso.washington.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 7, 1995
Tour of Duty 9 mo
Age 22
Badge Number 178
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Committed suicide

Deputy Sheriff Roland Peter Williamson 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 Washington 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.

Washington County Sheriff's Office
3
of 3 officers
100% Felonious
AR — Statewide
249
of 372 officers
66.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roland Peter Williamson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Roland Peter Williamson Compares

Age at End of Watch
22
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roland Peter Williamson is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roland Peter Williamson was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.