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Incident
Sheriff Willie Young was shot and killed while attempting to serve a lunacy warrant on a suspect. During the arrest the suspect and the suspect's sister opened fire on Sheriff Young's posse, killing him and wounding four other officers. After several hours of trying to talk the suspects out of their house a deputy soaked his shirt in gasoline, lit it on fire, and tossed it onto the house, causing it to catch fire. As the suspects attempted to exit the home they were shot and killed by officers and citizens numbering almost 2,000 people.
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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 Young served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Orange community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Young.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orange County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 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 1936, 10 officers in VA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 48. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 48. 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 was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Orange County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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
Orange County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Orange County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
