Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Godwin was killed in an accident while responding to a call involving a disgruntled employee with a gun. This call was the second time officers had been dispatched to the scene. While en route, another vehicle pulled in front of him, and his Range Rover police vehicle rolled over, killing him. His canine partner, Gray, survived the accident. Sergeant Godwin had served with the Morrisville Police Department for 9 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 8-month-old daughter, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-3D44F799- 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.
Sergeant Godwin gave the Morrisville Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Morrisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Godwin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William Earl Godwin is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NC, 205 of 664 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30.9% of this state's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Earl Godwin's cause is highlighted.
How William Earl Godwin Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. William Earl Godwin is highlighted in May.