Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Wright was shot and killed by two brothers as he was on his way home. The brothers opened fire at the same time as the three met on the road, killing Deputy Wright instantly.
In 1902, two brothers were indicted, but only one was convicted of his murder during a heavily attended and highly emotional trial in Bell County and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Wright had served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office for only three months.
Deputy Wright's son, William Wright, was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 11, 1901, while attempting to arrest his father's killers.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 11 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-BD4048F7- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wright served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William S. Wright 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 Letcher County Sheriff's Office, 16 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William S. Wright's cause is highlighted.
How William S. Wright Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William S. Wright is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William S. Wright was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
