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William Wiley Obediah Wilson
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Wilson was beaten to death by a man he had just arrested for disturbing the peace.
As he walked the man to jail, the man asked if he could go home to get a change of clothes, and Deputy Wilson permitted it. As they entered his home the man suddenly attached Deputy Wilson and beat him to death with a club.
The man was arrested and charged with murder, but was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter and sentenced to 45 years. He was paroled on January 3, 1944.
Deputy Wilson was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Wilson was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Wilson served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tahlequah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 13 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 56. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
William was 56. 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 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.7% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
