Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Hudnall was killed when his department SUV was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Highway 178 in Kern River Canyon.
The collision caused Deputy Hudnall's patrol car to plummet 100 feet down the canyon.
Deputy Hudnall was transported to Kern Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. A prisoner that Deputy Hudnall was transporting to jail was injured in the crash.
The drunk driver was charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI and sentenced to six years in prison.
Deputy Hudnall had served with the Kern County Sheriff's Department for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, one grandson, two sisters, and his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-88951251- 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 Hudnall gave the Kern County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hudnall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Joseph Hudnall, Jr. 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 Kern County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 32.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Joseph Hudnall, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Joseph Hudnall, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to six years in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Joseph Hudnall, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Joseph Hudnall, Jr. was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Kern County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
