Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Naylor was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had just murdered a teenage boy at a nearby home in West Hickman.
The subject had gone to the home to speak to the boy's father over a dispute over a half pint of liquor. When the father came to the door they exchanged words and the man immediately pulled out a revolver and starting firing at the father. None of the rounds hit the father, but one struck the boy in the abdomen and a second struck the boy's mother in the arm.
The man then left the scene and robbed several people as he fled. When Deputy Naylor learned of the murder he deputized an acquaintance and immediately set out to locate the man.
Upon locating him near the railroad tracks, Deputy Naylor approached him from behind and grabbed his right arm, with which he was holding the revolver. The man immediately spun around and fatally shot Deputy Naylor in the neck. The deputized citizen and the man then exchanged shots and the suspect was fatally shot four times.
Deputy Naylor had served with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office for approximately one year. He had previously served as a county judge for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-18B7BB38- 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 Naylor gave the Fulton County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Hickman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Naylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Alford Naylor 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 Fulton County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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 Alford Naylor's cause is highlighted.
How William Alford Naylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Alford Naylor is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Alford Naylor was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fulton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
