Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Bates and Deputy James Coggburn were shot and killed while leading a posse that was pursuing several horse thieves along Bee Creek, near the Missouri - Arkansas state border.
Both deputies were killed during a shootout that ensued after the posse cornered the subjects in a cabin. The owner of the cabin and a suspect were shot and killed. The others escaped.
Deputy Bates was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Bates was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-88F863F4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
147 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Bates served with the Taney County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Forsyth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy William J. Bates is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Taney County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 6 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 J. Bates's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Bates Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Bates is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Bates was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Taney County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
