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Incident
Location: Kentucky Incident Date: Saturday, April 14, 1945 Weapon: Officer's handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Patrolman William Drury succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained in Louisville, Kentucky, two months earlier while taking a U.S. Navy deserter to the federal building at 6th Street and Broadway.
The 21-year-old deserter had been arrested in Jeffersonville and was being taken to the federal building in Louisville to be turned over to federal authorities. As Patrolman Drury exited the patrol car in the building's parking lot the deserter suddenly grabbed his revolver and shot him in the throat at point-blank range before fleeing on foot. He was located in New Albany, Indiana, that evening by Navy Shore Patrol officers and shot and wounded during an exchange of gunfire with them. He died from his wounds two weeks later.
Patrolman Drury had served with the Jeffersonville Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his six children and nine grandchildren.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Drury gave the Jeffersonville Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jeffersonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Drury.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Jeffersonville Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 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 1945, 1 officer in IN was killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1945, 70 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 108th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 60. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 60. 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 had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 60. Of the 15,854 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
June holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jeffersonville Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jeffersonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.