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Incident
Sheriff William Mathis succumbed to wounds sustained the previous day as he and his two deputies attempted to serve a warrant. The three deputies had mistakenly gone to the wrong house. When the sheriff identified himself a man in the house said that he had nothing to cause a warrant for his arrest and he refused to answer the door.
After several minutes of arguing through the door Sheriff Mathis kicked it in. As he entered the house he observed the man holding a shotgun and he opened fire, striking the man in the shoulder. The man returned fire, striking the sheriff with a shotgun blast.
At the sounds of the gunfire the two deputies came from the back of the house and exchanged shots with the man. One of the deputies was wounded and two females in the home were shot, one of them fatally. The suspect recovered from his wounds and was tried for Sheriff Mathis' murder. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and the charges were dismissed.
In Our Keeping
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NW-AMXP-V0W9-5earlier record number BO-US-KY-0B689490- Stewardship
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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.
Sheriff Mathis served with the Muhlenberg County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Mathis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Muhlenberg County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
William is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
William is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
William is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 15 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 54. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
William was 54. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 54. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.3% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Muhlenberg County Sheriff's Department.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
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