Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Goff was shot and killed on as he and a city marshal conducted a raid at a service station to search for large quantities of liquor. Upon arrival, the owner of the service station was seized and taken to a room to be searched. During the search, he pulled out a gun and began shooting. About a dozen shots were fired between the man and the officers, ending with Deputy Goff being fatally struck below his right eye. The suspect was struck four times seriously wounded. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison. Deputy Sheriff Goff had served with the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office for two years and previously served several years with the Hope Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and a 4-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-BF6EFBA8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Goff gave the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hope community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Goff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Madison Goff is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 13 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Madison Goff's cause is highlighted.
How William Madison Goff Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Madison Goff is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Madison Goff was killed by handgun.