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Incident
City Marshal William Patton and Deputy Sheriff John Mount, of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed while standing in the town square.
Marshal Patton had received death threats after fatally shooting a man while making an arrest several months prior. As he and Deputy Mount spoke in the town square they were shot from ambush and both killed.
Their killer was never apprehended.
Marshal Patton was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Marshal Patton was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Patton served with the Fayetteville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fayetteville Police Department 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 15,743 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 1881, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 32. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42.
William was 32. 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 was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Saturdays: 16.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Fayetteville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 13.3% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Fayetteville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Fayetteville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
