Duff G. Williams

Smith County Sheriff's Office — Tyler, TX

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch August 26, 1869

Age 31

The Vigil Panel 3 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Little is known as to why Deputy Sheriff Duff G. Williams confronted Brown and Gus Mosely. The Smith County murder indictment record dated August 27, 1869 reported in part:

...On August 26, 1869 in Smith County...Duff Williams acting as the special deputy sheriff of said County of Smith in the discharge of his duties as such deputy sheriff was feloniously and willfully attacked by Brown and Gus Mosely. Deputy Williams was shot twice with a double barrel shotgun and died instantly...

Deputy Williams was survived by his wife Susan K. Williams and one son, Harry H. Williams. No cemetery records have been located. He was a Civil War Veteran who was a corporal in the 17th Texas Calvary, Company C.

Survivors

Deputy Williams was survived by his wife Susan K.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-44DA8A05
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Williams served with the Smith County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tyler community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Smith County Sheriff's Office

Location Tyler, TX

Platform Identity scso.smith.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 26, 1869

Age 31

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Military Service

Duff G. Williams served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff Duff G. Williams 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Smith County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Smith County Sheriff's Office

of 8 officers

62.5% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious