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Incident
Sheriff Wood was shot and killed as he and other deputies were searching for illegal stills in the woods of Clark County. While walking a trail, they encountered a man carrying a rifle. Sheriff Wood ordered the man stop, but the man instead shot him. Sheriff Wood returned fire and wounded the suspect. The man was arrested and convicted of Sheriff Wood's murder. The man was hanged at Walla Walla State Prison.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Wood served with the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Vancouver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clark County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Lester is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Lester is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lester 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 1927, 4 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 3.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Sundays: 18.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Clark County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 13.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Clark County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Lester among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Clark County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
