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Incident
Sergeant William Thurston was responding to a disturbance call with another deputy when his patrol unit was struck on the drivers side by another vehicle. Thurston was extricated from the vehicle by the local fire department and transported to the local hospital in Denton. He was later flown to Harris Hospital in Ft. Worth where he passed away.
Survivors
Sergeant Thurston had served with the agency for 25 years and was survived by his wife and three children.
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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Thurston gave the Denton County Sheriff's Office 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Denton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Thurston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Denton County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1986, 7 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1986, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1986, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 46. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.7% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 16.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Denton County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Denton County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, William 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 Denton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
