Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Bill Rutherford succumbed to injuries received when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on State Road 200 near the entrance of Central Florida Community College at 12:30 am.
Deputy Rutherford was traveling westbound when the driver crossed the center line and hit him head-on. He was transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center, where he died that afternoon.
The drunk driver was also killed in the crash. The driver's passenger was treated and released.
Deputy Rutherford had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for three years.
The US 441 between Country Road 475 and County Road 328 was renamed Deputy William Hamilton Rutherford.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-3A8A99CD- 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 Rutherford gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ocala community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rutherford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Hamilton Rutherford 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Marion County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 8 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. William Hamilton Rutherford's cause is highlighted.
How William Hamilton Rutherford Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Hamilton Rutherford is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Hamilton Rutherford was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
