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William Everette Wheeler
Incident
Chief Deputy Sheriff William Wheeler was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for false pretense. He and a posse had gone to the man's shack near Brock Mountain to serve the warrant. As Chief Deputy Wheeler went to the back of the shack the man ran outside and opened fire on him, killing him. The subject was arrested following a large manhunt. The man was convicted of Chief Deputy Wheeler's murder and was executed by electrocution on February 23rd, 1935. Chief Deputy Wheeler had served with the Independence County Sheriff's Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Wheeler gave the Independence County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Batesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Wheeler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Independence County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 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 1935, 5 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 29. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 29. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 29. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Independence County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Independence County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Independence County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
