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Incident
Patrolman William Hickman was shot and killed after responding to a weapon violation call at a bar at 924 Lynch Street. A woman had called 911 to report that a man was chasing her with a shotgun down Lynch Street. Several minutes later another caller stated gunshots had been fired in a nearby alley. When Patrolman Hickman and his partner arrived on the scene they encountered the man sitting in front of the bar with a shotgun on his lap. As the officers exited their patrol car the man opened fire, killing Patrolman Hickman. Patrolman Hickman's partner returned fire, wounding the suspect. The suspect, 58, a drifter and former mental patient, was charged with murder. Patrolman Hickman had served with the Jackson Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Hickman gave the Jackson Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hickman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jackson Police Department has lost 19 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 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 1981, 1 officer at Jackson Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1893, with 2.
In 1981, 6 officers in MS were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 29. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Jackson Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 39.5; the middle age was 36. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
William was 29. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
William was 29. 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 had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 14.3% of these deaths at Jackson Police Department; January holds the most, 21.4%. Mondays: 7.1%.
April holds 7.8% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 12.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.7% of all 19 deaths at Jackson Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Jackson Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Walker Guice Jan 14, 1893
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Cliff Hines Jan 14, 1893
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James Henry Redmond, III Feb 1, 1902
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James William Hill
Jan 12, 1940
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Wilburn Burleson Mar 10, 1961
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Charles Ray Buckley, Jr.
Mar 14, 1965
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William Louis Skinner
Aug 19, 1971
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Floyd Dewey Seaton
May 23, 1979
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William Rankin Hickman
Apr 13, 1981
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Bobby Joe Biggert
Feb 23, 1989
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Rickey Joe Simmons
Feb 4, 1992
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Nathan Williams
Jan 31, 1993
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John Reid Sandifer
Sep 18, 1994
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Robert Joe Washington, Sr.
Nov 15, 1995
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Brian Ronald Kinsey
Oct 22, 1997
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Thomas Drumane Catchings
Mar 17, 2005
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Glen Victor Agee
Aug 6, 2010
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Eric Tyrone Smith, Sr.
Apr 4, 2013
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Bruce Daniel Jacob
Jul 20, 2013
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
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