Prev
William C. Callihan
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff William Callihan was shot and fatally wounded by a bootlegger he was attempting to arrest near Victory Mill Village (modern-day Lakedale).
He was taken to Highsmith Hospital in Fayetteville, where he died four hours later.
The suspect was apprehended one week later, convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison. He was paroled on November 23, 1926.
Deputy Callihan had served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Atlantic Coast Line Police Department, and Fayetteville Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, six sons, and one daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmkkaa6pv77b2s2ns2dt- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff Callihan served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Callihan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 1 officer at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 2.
In 1923, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 55; the middle age was 42.
William was 42. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
William was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 9.1% of these deaths at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 18.2%. Saturdays: 27.3%.
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.6% of all 13 deaths at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, William among them.
-
Frank James Dees
Nov 20, 1916
-
Herman Cashwell Butler
May 21, 1920
-
William Garrison Moore
May 23, 1920
-
Malcon N. Blue
Jan 28, 1921
-
Alfred Jackson Pate
Jul 22, 1921
-
William C. Callihan
Feb 24, 1923
-
Esther LaFayette Lewis
Dec 9, 1950
-
Joe Smith, Jr.
Jan 5, 1974
-
Ronald Gordon Smith
Sep 14, 1977
-
Allen Bernard Lennon
Aug 11, 1992
-
David Walter Hathcock
Sep 23, 1997
-
Christopher Brian Matthews
Sep 30, 2005
-
Oscar Yovani Bolanos-Anavisca, Jr.
Dec 16, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
