Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Michael Eugene Williams

Salyersville Police Dept. — Salyersville, KY

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch August 29, 1976

Age 24

The Vigil Panel 117 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman Michael Williams was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a deputy sheriff's brother-in-law. As he was walking the suspect out of the building he was shot in the back by the deputy. He succumbed to his wounds 12 hours later. The shooter was sentenced to 23 years in prison, but served only three years when he was released to house arrest after developing cancer. Patrolman Williams had previously served with the United States Army.

Survivors

He was survived by one child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-12F10D28
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.
Patrolman Williams served with the Salyersville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Salyersville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Salyersville Police Dept.

Location Salyersville, KY

Platform Identity spd.magoffin.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 29, 1976

Age 24

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 23 years; died at home from

Military Service

Michael Eugene Williams served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Michael Eugene Williams 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Salyersville Police Dept., 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Salyersville Police Dept.

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Eugene Williams's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Michael Eugene Williams Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 23 years; died at home from

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Eugene Williams is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Eugene Williams was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Salyersville Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.