William Ronald Mast, Jr.

Watauga County Sheriff's Office — Boone, NC

Felonious

End of Watch July 26, 2012

Age 23

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 161 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Deputy Sheriff William Mast was shot and killed as he responded to a 911 call with an open line at a trailer home on Hardin Road in Deep Gap, North Carolina, at approximately 1:00 am.

Upon arriving at the scene he began walking towards the house when he was shot in the face. It is believed the subject who shot him intentionally ambushed him. Another deputy with him returned fire killing the suspect.

Deputy Mast had served with the Watauga County Sheriff's Office for three years.

Survivors

He is survived by his expectant wife, parents, and sibling.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NC-442E067A
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.
Deputy Sheriff Mast gave the Watauga County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boone community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mast.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Watauga County Sheriff's Office

Location Boone, NC

Platform Identity wcso.watauga.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 26, 2012

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 23

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff William Ronald Mast, Jr. 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 Watauga County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Watauga County Sheriff's Office

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

NC — Statewide

385

of 664 officers

58% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious