Roll of Honor
William Wiley Obediah Wilson
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Wilson was beaten to death by a man he had just arrested for disturbing the peace.
As he walked the man to jail, the man asked if he could go home to get a change of clothes, and Deputy Wilson permitted it. As they entered his home the man suddenly attached Deputy Wilson and beat him to death with a club.
The man was arrested and charged with murder, but was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter and sentenced to 45 years. He was paroled on January 3, 1944.
Deputy Wilson was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Wilson was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-8964BCF4- 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 Wilson served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tahlequah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Wiley Obediah Wilson 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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 Wiley Obediah Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How William Wiley Obediah Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1944
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Wiley Obediah Wilson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Wiley Obediah Wilson was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
