Prev
Incident
Sheriff Stanley succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 6 weeks earlier while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for feloniously assaulting another man with a horseshoe.
The suspect fled after the shooting and it is unknown if he was ever captured.
Sheriff Stanley was survived by his expectant wife and seven children.
Survivors
Sheriff Stanley was survived by his expectant wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpzrzfd21tmwr14p7f10- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Stanley served with the Dickenson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Clintwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Stanley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dickenson County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1902, 1 officer at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1902, 2 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1902, 104 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1902, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 33. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 45; the middle age was 38.
William was 33. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 33. 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 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 42.9% of these deaths at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 1.5% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Dickenson County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Dickenson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
