Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Willie Hall was shot and killed while searching for illegal whiskey in the woods three miles southeast of Durham. The 24-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on December 6, 1929. He was later granted a new trial and convicted of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 30 years hard labor on May 20, 1930. He died in prison on December 21, 1941, of acute appendicitis. Deputy Hall had served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office for ten years. He had been seriously wounded in 1923 while responding to a domestic dispute. He was survived by his wife, four daughters, and two sons. Deputy Hall's brother, Deputy Onus Hall, was shot and killed on July 17th, 1939, while responding to a domestic disturbance.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpfq4x3kdhrta91nnf3p- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Willie. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hall gave the Durham County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Durham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Durham County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Willie is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Willie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willie 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 1929, 12 officers in NC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willie was 51. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Willie had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Willie was 51. 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. Willie had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willie was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willie had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Durham County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Durham County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Willie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Durham County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
