Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Bill Miller and Deputy Sheriff Louis Falkenburg were shot and killed while attempting to arrest members of an Indian tribe wanted for slaughtering livestock belonging to local ranchers. Sheriff Miller and his posse went to Lightning Creek where the confrontation occurred. During the shootout, both officers received fatal injuries and five of the Indians were also shot and killed. No suspects were ever charged as none of the Indians could be identified. Sheriff Miller was elected sheriff in 1898 and began his term in January 1899.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WY-2A01B093- 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 Miller gave the Weston County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newcastle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Miller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William H. Miller 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 WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Weston County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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 H. Miller's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Miller Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Miller is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Miller was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Weston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
