Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Cox and Deputy John Gardener were shot while attempting to arrest two brothers for robbery. During the arrest the suspects opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Gardener on the scene. Deputy Cox suffered severe wounds and remained paralyzed until his death two years later. The suspects fled the scene but were arrested six years later in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Deputy Cox had been deputized that day for the arrest.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-A469BE65- 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
139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Cox served with the Dubois County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Cox 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dubois County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Cox's cause is highlighted.
How William Cox Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Cox is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Cox was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dubois County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
