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Incident
Deputy Wiley Pierce and Deputy Robert Crain were shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men for making moonshine.
One of the men produced a handgun and opened fire, killing both deputies. The suspects attempted to hide Deputy Crain's body under the carcass of a dead cow and they buried Deputy Pierce's body in a swamp.
Both men were convicted of the murders and sentenced to death on March 23, 1923. One of the men was hanged on August 31, 1923. The other's sentence was commuted to life. On December 20, 1926, he was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate.
Deputy Pierce was survived by his wife and six children. Deputy Pierce is buried in Morris Cemetery, Washington Parrish, Louisiana.
Survivors
Deputy Pierce was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Pierce served with the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Franklinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pierce.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washington Parish Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Wiley is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Wiley is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wiley is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 2 officers at Washington Parish Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 7 officers in LA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wiley was 42. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Washington Parish Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 45; the middle age was 42.
Wiley was 42. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40.
Wiley was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Wiley was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Washington Parish Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 60%.
March holds 10.7% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 15.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% 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 Washington Parish Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Washington Parish Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Wiley among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Washington Parish Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
