Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff William Withers was shot and killed in Walton, Oregon, while attempting to arrest a man wanted in Jackson County for stealing horses. Sheriff Withers and a deputy had gone to a home where the suspect was believed to be located. As the deputy went to watch the back door Sheriff Withers knocked on the front door. When the sheriff entered the home a struggle ensued and he was shot in the throat. The suspect named in the warrant fled and jumped a train to Cottage Grove. He was located four days later by a posse after jumping a second train in Cottage Grove. He was returned to Eugene where he was convicted of murder. He was hanged behind the Lane County Courthouse on April 17, 1903. Sheriff Withers had served with the agency for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son, and his parents and is buried in the Masonic Cemetery, Eugene, Lane County, Oregon.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-820CF328- 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 Withers gave the Lane County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Eugene community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Withers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William W. Withers 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lane County Sheriff's Dept., 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William W. Withers's cause is highlighted.
How William W. Withers Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1903
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William W. Withers is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William W. Withers was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Lane County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
