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William Chester Jackson
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Jackson was shot and killed after responding to a burglary call at a United States Forest Service Warehouse at 10:00 a.m. The subject fled the station and Deputy Jackson found him at the Salyer Wayside Chapel at 1020 CA-299 in Salyer. While attempting to apprehend the subject, a struggle ensued. The suspect managed to gain control of his 45 caliber pistol and shot him in the head. The suspect, 35, was dropped by a shotgun blast fired by a state trooper later that day. The suspect, who was charged with capital murder, was found incompetent to stand trial and committed at a state mental institution. He was denied a release in 1977. Deputy Jackson had served with the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for forty years and was killed two months before he was set to retire.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
40 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Jackson gave the Trinity County Sheriff's Department 40 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Weaverville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Jackson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Trinity County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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 1971, 22 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 64. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 64. 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 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 64. 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 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Trinity County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Trinity County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Trinity County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.