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Incident
Deputy Hoyt was shot and killed in the County Courthouse when three prisoners being led to a courtroom attempted to escape. The three, who were manacled to each other, attacked another deputy, grabbed his gun and opened fire. Deputy Hoyt, who was not armed, was shot in the chest. Before he collapsed he managed to stagger to a counter where he obtained a gun kept below it, and returned fire, wounding one of the prisoners. Other officers who heard the shots subdued the prisoners. The three were to have been arraigned on charges stemming from an earlier escape from a nearby prison farm. Eleven days later one of the prisoners hanged himself in his cell at San Quentin Prison. It was later determined that one of the other prisoners shot Deputy Hoyt. Both were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 5 years to life July 10, 1969. Deputy Hoyt had been with the Lake County Sheriff's Department for two years. He had retired from the Berkeley Police Department after 27 years of service.
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29 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Hoyt gave the Lake County Sheriff's Office 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Lakeport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hoyt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lake County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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 1967, 15 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 52. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 52. 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 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 52. 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 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Lake County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
