Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal William Dunnam and Federal Prohibition Agent Jacob Green were shot and killed while raiding a moonshine still near Richton, Mississippi.
Four moonshiners were arrested and charged with their murder. One suspect was sentenced to death but committed suicide before he was to be hanged. In June 1921, another suspect was convicted and sentenced to death. On July 18th, 1922, he murdered Jailer John Russell of the Hinds County Sheriff's Office during an escape attempt. He was killed in return gunfire. A third suspect was sentenced to life in prison. The fourth suspect was sentenced to three years for making whiskey at the still.
Marshal Dunnam had served with the Richton Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-16E15A4F- 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.
Town Marshal Dunnam gave the Richton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Richton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Dunnam.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William Lawrence Dunnam 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Richton Police Department, 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. William Lawrence Dunnam's cause is highlighted.
How William Lawrence Dunnam Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Lawrence Dunnam is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Lawrence Dunnam was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Richton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
