William Erastus Whitehurst
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Whitehurst was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk man who was causing a public disturbance.
As he struggled with the original suspect, another man opened fire on him, killing him. The suspect was acquitted.
He was survived by his parents and six siblings.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Whitehurst served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 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 1893, 1 officer at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1893, 4 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1893, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1893, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 23. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46.5; the middle age was 34.
William was 23. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
William was 23. 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 23. 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 25% of these deaths at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 25%.
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 15 deaths at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Richard Roach Aug 22, 1874
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William Erastus Whitehurst
Jul 4, 1893
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Robert Max Suarez
Sep 3, 1944
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Ben P. Wilder, Jr.
Jul 22, 1962
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Donald Clark Williams
Jun 12, 1967
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Lee A. Hutchinson
Jul 25, 1970
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James David Allen, Jr.
May 21, 1974
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Lemon Harvey
Dec 15, 1981
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Frederick Thomas Clark, Sr.
May 7, 1987
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Donna Marie Miller
May 8, 1987
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David Anthony Abella
Apr 21, 2004
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Ronald Hamlin Harrison
Aug 15, 2007
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Mark Alan Longway
Sep 21, 2010
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John Robert Kotfila, Jr.
Mar 12, 2016
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Brian Roy LaVigne
Jan 11, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.












