Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Moore was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight at a local saloon. The sheriff was talking with several county officials about 4th of July activities when they heard about a disturbance at the saloon. Sheriff Moore rushed over and found two men who were about to engage in a gun duel with each other. Sheriff Moore got in-between the men as they both drew their guns and one shot and killed him. Both men were arrested and charged with Sheriff Moore's murder. One was convicted of second degree murder and sent to San Quentin State Prison. He was released on April 2, 1891. Sheriff Moore had served as sheriff for 16 months. He had been appointed sheriff following the murder of Sheriff Thomas Passmore on February 10, 1878.
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BO-US-CA-38F758DC- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
147 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Moore gave the Inyo County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Independence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William L. Moore 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Inyo 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. William L. Moore's cause is highlighted.
How William L. Moore Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Moore is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Moore was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Inyo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
