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Incident
Lieutenant William Harville and Sheriff John Payntor were shot and killed while trying to serve a murder warrant on two men. Sheriff Payntor summoned six men to assist him in making the arrest and proceeded about twelve miles from Stockton, on the Oceola Road, where they arrived at the house. When Sheriff Payntor and the men entered the house they found one of the men in bed. As they approached the man he fired a weapon at Sheriff Payntor, killing him instantly. He then fired at Lieutenant Harville, killing him. A third officer in the room fired at the man but the man was able to escape with others who had been hiding outside of the house.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
161 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Lieutenant Harville served with the Cedar County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Stockton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cedar County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1865, 3 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1865, 15 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 165th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1865, 16 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 168th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 30. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
William was 30. 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 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Cedar County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cedar County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cedar County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
