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Incident
Sheriff William Elam was killed in an automobile accident in the North Lake Tahoe area of the county.
He was conducting official business when his vehicle left the roadway and plummeted down a 100-foot embankment.
Sheriff Elam had been elected sheriff only 10 months earlier.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Elam served with the Placer County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Auburn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Elam.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Placer County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1951, 1 officer at Placer County Sheriff's Office was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1951, 11 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1951, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1951, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 46. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Placer County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 58.8; the middle age was 52. William had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
William was 46. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. William had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 16.7% of these deaths at Placer County Sheriff's Office; February holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 33.3%.
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 14.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Placer County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Placer County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Placer County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
