Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bill Inman was killed when his powered parachute struck a power line while he was searching for the body of an 18-month-old girl. He crashed into the Salmon River south of the town of Salmon. The powered parachute was quickly found, but Deputy Inman's body wasn't discovered until March 9th, 1997, approximately two miles south of the town. Deputy Inman had served with the Lemhi County Sheriff's Department for two years and previously served in law enforcement in Illinois.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtngz547d0c8pyx205fmy- 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 William. 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 Inman gave the Lemhi County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salmon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Inman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lemhi County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 21 officers lost to accidents in ID, 29.2% of the 72 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer in ID was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 2.
In 1997, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1997, 85 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 58. Of the 19 lost to accidents in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 58; the middle age was 49. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 58. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 58. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 4.8% of these deaths in ID; May holds the most, 23.8%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Lemhi County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 72 deaths in ID, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Lemhi County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lemhi County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.

