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Incident
Sheriff William Harris was shot and killed while attempting to seize cotton from a man who had an outstanding legal debt of $400.
The sheriff had gone to the man's home to seize the cotton several days earlier but was confronted by the man and his two sons.
The sheriff returned the following Monday with five deputies to seize the cotton and arrest the man and his sons for resisting the seizure the previous week. When they arrived at the man's farm, they found that the cotton had been put behind a locked gate. When the father invited Sheriff Harris into his home, he opened fire with a shotgun, striking Sheriff Harris in the face, and killing him.
A deputy shot and killed his sheriff's killer. His sons ran from the home but were apprehended and charged with murder. One was tried and acquitted. It is unknown what happened to the other.
Sheriff Harris was survived by his wife and several children and is buried in Blocker Cemetery, Olive Branch, Desoto County, Mississippi.
Survivors
Sheriff Harris was survived by his wife and several children and is buried in Blocker Cemetery, Olive Branch, Desoto County, Mississippi.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Harris served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hernando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 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 1912, 1 officer at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 3.
In 1912, 4 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 47. Of the 4 killed feloniously at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.8 and 41; the middle age was 38.
William was 47. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41.
William was 47. 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 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 14.3% of these deaths at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 42.9%. Mondays: 14.3%.
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 12.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William C. Cooper May 18, 1898
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Henry R. Campbell May 18, 1898
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Carter I. Jones May 18, 1898
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William P. Harris
Nov 25, 1912
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Robert E. Dodson
Dec 16, 1936
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Larry Cox
Jun 26, 1970
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Larkin V. Pettit Mar 8, 1981
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Gregory Floyd Medlin
Nov 2, 2003
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Paul A. LeBlanc, Jr.
Dec 7, 2007
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William K. Nichols
Jul 22, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from DeSoto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
