Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff William Harris was shot and killed while attempting to seize cotton from a man who had an outstanding legal debt of $400.
The sheriff had gone to the man's home to seize the cotton several days earlier but was confronted by the man and his two sons.
The sheriff returned the following Monday with five deputies to seize the cotton and arrest the man and his sons for resisting the seizure the previous week. When they arrived at the man's farm, they found that the cotton had been put behind a locked gate. When the father invited Sheriff Harris into his home, he opened fire with a shotgun, striking Sheriff Harris in the face, and killing him.
A deputy shot and killed his sheriff's killer. His sons ran from the home but were apprehended and charged with murder. One was tried and acquitted. It is unknown what happened to the other.
Sheriff Harris was survived by his wife and several children and is buried in Blocker Cemetery, Olive Branch, Desoto County, Mississippi.
Survivors
Sheriff Harris was survived by his wife and several children and is buried in Blocker Cemetery, Olive Branch, Desoto County, Mississippi.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-BDE23DBF- 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.
Sheriff Harris served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hernando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William P. Harris 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 DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William P. Harris's cause is highlighted.
How William P. Harris Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William P. Harris is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William P. Harris was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from DeSoto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
