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Incident
Sheriff William Withers was shot and killed in Walton, Oregon, while attempting to arrest a man wanted in Jackson County for stealing horses. Sheriff Withers and a deputy had gone to a home where the suspect was believed to be located. As the deputy went to watch the back door Sheriff Withers knocked on the front door. When the sheriff entered the home a struggle ensued and he was shot in the throat. The suspect named in the warrant fled and jumped a train to Cottage Grove. He was located four days later by a posse after jumping a second train in Cottage Grove. He was returned to Eugene where he was convicted of murder. He was hanged behind the Lane County Courthouse on April 17, 1903. Sheriff Withers had served with the agency for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son, and his parents and is buried in the Masonic Cemetery, Eugene, Lane County, Oregon.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Withers gave the Lane County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Eugene community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Withers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lane County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 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 1903, 1 officer at Lane County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1903, 3 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 45. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Lane County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 40.5; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 45. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
William was 45. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 45. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Lane County Sheriff's Department; July holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 40%.
February holds 6.1% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Lane County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.4% 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
Lane County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Lane County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
