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Incident
Deputy Sheriff George Stillwell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained when he was shot by a man he had just arrested.
Deputy Stilwell was sent to a farm in Wading River with an arrest warrant for a suspect who was trespassing on a farm. Deputy Stillwell arrested the suspect and placed him in the rear of his carriage and proceeded to drive toward the court in Riverhead. As the carriage started moving the suspect sprang from his seat and ran for the woods. Deputy Stillwell was able to apprehend the man again and placed him in the rear of the carriage, this time with his arms and legs tied with rope. After the carriage had gone about a half-mile the suspect was able to free himself from the ropes, reach into his rear pocket, draw a revolver and fire twice. The first shot hit Deputy Stillwell in the back of the neck and the seconds shot struck him in the mouth and he turned toward the suspect. The suspect then ran from the carriage into the woods.
Deputy Stillwell was taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. He succumbed to his wounds 14 days later.
The suspect was apprehended eight days after the shooting and was charged with assault. When Deputy Stillwell died the charge was upgraded to murder. He was convicted of murder in 1907 and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Stillwell was survived by his wife.
Deputy Stilwell was sent to a farm in Wading River with an arrest warrant for a suspect who was trespassing on a farm. Deputy Stillwell arrested the suspect and placed him in the rear of his carriage and proceeded to drive toward the court in Riverhead. As the carriage started moving the suspect sprang from his seat and ran for the woods. Deputy Stillwell was able to apprehend the man again and placed him in the rear of the carriage, this time with his arms and legs tied with rope. After the carriage had gone about a half-mile the suspect was able to free himself from the ropes, reach into his rear pocket, draw a revolver and fire twice. The first shot hit Deputy Stillwell in the back of the neck and the seconds shot struck him in the mouth and he turned toward the suspect. The suspect then ran from the carriage into the woods.
The suspect was apprehended eight days after the shooting and was charged with assault. When Deputy Stillwell died the charge was upgraded to murder. He was convicted of murder in 1907 and sentenced to life in prison.
Survivors
Deputy Stillwell was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Stillwell served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stillwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1906, 4 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 27. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
George was 27. 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.
George was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.4% 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 handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, George among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Suffolk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
