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Incident
Sergeant William Cross was fatally stabbed while assisting other officers during a disturbance at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. One inmate was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with Sergeant Cross' death. The inmate committed suicide in his cell after being convicted. A second inmate, who was the brother of the convicted inmate, was acquitted of murder charges. Sergeant Cross had served with the Washington State Department of Corrections for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Cross gave the Washington State Department of Corrections 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Cross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washington State Department of Corrections has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 1 officer at Washington State Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1979, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 33. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Washington State Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 35.5; the middle age was 33.5. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 33. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Washington State Department of Corrections; January holds the most, 16.7%. Fridays: 33.3%.
June holds 7.5% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Fridays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Washington State Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.7% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Washington State Department of Corrections has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Herbert L. Briggs
Feb 12, 1934
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William Warfield
Nov 17, 1970
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Roger G. Sanders
Sep 1, 1978
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William Cross
Jun 15, 1979
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Michael Steven Erdahl
May 29, 1985
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Jayme Lee Biendl
Jan 29, 2011
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Berisford Anthony Morse
May 17, 2020
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David Alan Christensen
Dec 29, 2020
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Gabriel Kyle Forrest
Jun 17, 2021
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Darryl Goodrich, Jr.
Aug 20, 2021
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Jay Miller
Feb 11, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Washington State Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
