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Incident
Deputy Silkworth was shot and killed when he and three other deputies responded to a robbery call at the Inglewood Golf and Country Club. Several suspects had tied up several employees and robbed them. One of the employees was able to free himself and went to his office to retrieve his handgun and call the police. When the deputies arrived the victim thought it was the robbers returning and opened fire, striking Deputy Silkworth three times, killing him. Two of the other deputies were wounded. The employee pled guilty to manslaughter and received a deferred sentence as long as he never possessed a firearm again. Five men and three women were charged with the burglary. Four of the suspects were never apprehended. Deputy Silkworth had served with the agency for 14 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Silkworth gave the King County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Silkworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
King County Sheriff's Office has lost 18 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Norman is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Norman is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Norman 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 1952, 1 officer at King County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1952, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Norman was 26. Of the 9 killed feloniously at King County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 46; the middle age was 44. Norman had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Norman was 26. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Norman had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Norman was 26. 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. Norman had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Norman was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Norman had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 27.3% of these deaths at King County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 18.2%.
March holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Fridays: 13.4%.
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 61.1% of all 18 deaths at King County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
King County Sheriff's Office has 18 officers remembered here, Norman among them.
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Wesley F. Cherry Mar 6, 1854
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Louis V. Wyckoff
Jan 20, 1882
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George W. Poor Jul 26, 1891
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Cornelius Rowley
Jul 4, 1902
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Robert Carl Scott
Apr 4, 1920
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Steven S. Watson Jul 9, 1934
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Thomas Charles Meehan
Nov 13, 1935
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John Frederick Mines
Jul 19, 1946
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George H. Yeaman, Jr.
Jul 22, 1946
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Norman F. Silkworth
Mar 7, 1952
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Donald A. Armeni
Sep 15, 1954
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Samuel A. Hicks
Jun 24, 1982
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Michael L. Raburn
Mar 27, 1984
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Richard S. Cochran, II
May 22, 1991
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Mark William Brown
Feb 27, 1999
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Richard Anthony Herzog
Jun 22, 2002
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Steven E. Cox
Dec 2, 2006
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Reginald Bernard Thomas
Sep 7, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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