Roll of Honor
William Torry Williams, Jr.
Incident
Deputy Williams and Deputy Walter Irey were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call. As they walked to the front porch the 23-year-old suspect opened fire with a .22 caliber rifle, striking both officers before they had time to draw their weapons. The suspect then fired on the patrol car, wounding an off duty jailer who was riding along with the officers. The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended and sentenced to death. In 1980 he was granted a new trial and sentenced to life. As of November 22, 2020, the suspect was in prison. Deputy Williams had been with the agency for 17 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-97CC058F- 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Williams gave the Columbia County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Torry Williams, 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 Columbia County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Torry Williams, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Torry Williams, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Torry Williams, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Torry Williams, Jr. was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Columbia County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
