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Incident
Sheriff Langston was shot and killed by an escaped Georgia convict at a turpentine camp outside of Spring Hill. The sheriff had received information that the suspect was at a particular location. While Sheriff Langston searched a shed the suspect ambushed him and shot him in the side before escaping. On June 6, 1909, a mob of men stormed the county jail and lynched the suspect.
Survivors
Sheriff Langston was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Langston served with the Leon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Langston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Leon County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Willie is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 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, 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 1909, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willie was 24. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Willie was 24. 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 was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Leon County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.7% 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
Leon County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Willie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Leon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
