Roll of Honor
William Jackson Gentry, Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Gentry succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night while responding to an animal abuse call at a home in the 200 block of Baltimore Way, in which a homeowner's cat had been fatally shot with a pellet gun.
He and a deputy he was training had responded to the victim's home. During the investigation, Deputy Gentry went to the suspect's home, a convicted felon who lived next door, to make contact with him. As he stood at the front door, the suspect opened fire on him, shooting him in the head.
The 69-year-old subject was taken into custody at the scene and charged with numerous counts. He was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2024 and sentenced to death in 2025.
Deputy Gentry was flown to Lee Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wound the following day.
Deputy Gentry had served with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by a brother, who also serves with the agency.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-66424371- 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 Gentry gave the Highlands County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sebring community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gentry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Jackson Gentry, 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 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 Highlands County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Jackson Gentry, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Jackson Gentry, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Jackson Gentry, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Jackson Gentry, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Highlands County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
