Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Wilber Hendrickson and Officer John Riblet, of the Miami Police Department, were shot and killed while attempting to prevent a jail escape. The brother of one of the prisoners went to the Dade County Jail, knocked on the door, and shot Deputy Hendrickson when he answered it. Officer Riblet, who was walking his beat nearby, heard the shot and immediately responded to the scene. He and the suspect exchanged shots and were both killed. The prisoner, who was the suspect's brother, was not able to escape. However, the prisoner did escape three years later and continued a life of crime with a gang of his brothers and other criminals known as the Ashley Gang. On January 9, 1924, the escaped member of the gang shot and killed Deputy Frederick Baker, of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, as a posse attempted to arrest them in the Everglades. One of the other gang members was also killed. The rest of the gang members were shot and killed by a posse in November 1924.
Survivors
Deputy Hendrickson was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmzm676fb8qm5d16h6x9- 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 Wilber. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson served with the Dade County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dade County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Wilber is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Wilber is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilber 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 1915, 1 officer at Dade County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 3.
In 1915, 6 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wilber was 44. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Dade County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 46; the middle age was 44.
Wilber was 44. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Wilber was 44. 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.
Wilber was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Dade County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 50%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
June holds 6.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Wednesdays: 11.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Dade County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Dade County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Wilber among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Dade County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
