William Ellis

Mingo County Sheriff's Dept. — Williamson, WV

Felonious

End of Watch August 21, 1918

The Vigil Panel 34 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Deputy Sheriff William Ellis and Deputy Sheriff George Dillon were shot and killed while attempting to arrest several military deserters between Breeden and Dingess, West Virginia.

The subject who shot them turned himself in 18 months later and was sentenced to life in prison.

Rest in peace knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 21st, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-45A6F9B6
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 Ellis served with the Mingo County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Williamson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ellis.

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

Agency

Department Mingo County Sheriff's Dept.

Location Williamson, WV

Platform Identity mcso.mingo.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 21, 1918

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Deputy Sheriff William Ellis 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Mingo County Sheriff's Dept., 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Mingo County Sheriff's Dept.

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious