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Incident
Sheriff Byron Pierce was shot and killed after responding to the farm of a man who was threatening his relatives with a rifle.
Deputies had surrounded the house and Sheriff Pierce was shot when he went to the front door to confront the man. The 67 year-old suspect, a former mental patient, was apprehended at the scene. The body of his 72 year-old brother was found shot to death 75 yards away.
The suspect was adjudged insane and committed in a mental institution.
Sheriff Pierce had served with the Henry County Sheriff's Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-VD9C-PPQE-Vearlier record number BO-US-IL-F848A2AD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Pierce gave the Henry County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cambridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Pierce.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henry County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Byron is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Byron is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Byron is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Byron was 45. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Byron had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Byron was 45. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Byron had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Byron was 45. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Byron had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 15%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Henry County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Henry County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Byron among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Henry County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.