Roll of Honor
William C. Callihan
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff William Callihan was shot and fatally wounded by a bootlegger he was attempting to arrest near Victory Mill Village (modern-day Lakedale).
He was taken to Highsmith Hospital in Fayetteville, where he died four hours later.
The suspect was apprehended one week later, convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison. He was paroled on November 23, 1926.
Deputy Callihan had served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Atlantic Coast Line Police Department, and Fayetteville Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, six sons, and one daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-3E5CF49C- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff Callihan served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Callihan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff William C. Callihan 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, 11 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William C. Callihan's cause is highlighted.
How William C. Callihan Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1926
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William C. Callihan is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William C. Callihan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
