Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Williams was shot and mortally wounded in a gun battle with a suspicious man he attempted to question.
For several days people who lived near Penick, a small village six miles north of Lebanon had been frightened by the actions of a strange man who would run away when approached. When Deputy Willams and his posse attempted to approach the man, he drew two pistols and opened fire. As Deputy Williams fell with a bullet wound in his right side, he emptied his gun, killing the suspect. Four of his posse men were shot and wounded, two seriously.
Deputy Williams died from his wounds the next day.
Deputy Williams was survived by his wife and children
Survivors
Deputy Williams was survived by his wife and children
Deputy Sheriff Williams, On today, the 120th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Marion County.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-FEE6B4A8- 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 Williams gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lebanon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Wesley 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 Marion 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. James Wesley Williams's cause is highlighted.
How James Wesley Williams Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Wesley Williams is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Wesley Williams was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Marion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
