Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Raiford Royals was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men. Despite being wounded, Deputy Royals was able to return fire and wounded one subject. The second man escaped.
The wounded suspect was hanged at the Hamilton County Jail on September 15, 1916.
Deputy Royals had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for three years. he was survived by his wife and six children.
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BO-US-FL-413E1EF3- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Royals gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Royals.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff W. Raiford Royals 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. Raiford Royals's cause is highlighted.
How W. Raiford Royals Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1916
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. Raiford Royals is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. Raiford Royals was killed by handgun.