Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Ramsey was shot and killed when he responded to investigate reports of a man threatening a neighbor.
When he arrived at the scene, the man fatally shot him. The suspect was shot and killed by another citizen.
Sheriff Ramsey was a Union Civil War veteran and had served with the Lucas County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-FE2362D0- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Ramsey gave the Lucas County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chariton community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William B. Ramsey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff William B. Ramsey 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lucas County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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 B. Ramsey's cause is highlighted.
How William B. Ramsey Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William B. Ramsey is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William B. Ramsey was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lucas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
