Prev
Incident
Deputy William Singletary was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man with a rifle for being drunk at a public gathering. The suspect gave Deputy Singletary the rifle and then produced a pistol and shot him in the head. The 33-year-old suspect was arrested, charged with murder, and posted bond four months later. It is not known if he was tried. He died on November 23, 1900.
Deputy Singletary was survived by his wife and five children. He is buried at the family cemetery west of Sentinal, Oklahoma.
Survivors
Deputy Singletary was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpyfss6mnja3fx7qxdg0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Singletary served with the Washita County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cordell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washita County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 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 1899, 1 officer at Washita County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1899, 1 officer in OK was killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 49. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Washita County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 44.5 and 50.3; the middle age was 47.5.
William was 49. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
William was 49. 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 49. 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 20% of these deaths at Washita County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 60%.
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Washita County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.7% 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; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Washita County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Washita County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
