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Incident
Sergeant Wilfred French was shot and killed by the Pulaski County Sheriff whom he had previously arrested several times for causing trouble while under the influence.
The sheriff demanded that Sergeant French return a gun that had been confiscated. When Deputy French refused and turned to walk away the sheriff shot him in the back. The sheriff was arrested, charged with Sergeant French's murder, but acquitted at trial.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant French served with the Cairo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cairo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant French.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cairo Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Wilfred is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Wilfred is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilfred is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 1 officer at Cairo Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1910, 8 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wilfred was 37. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Cairo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 52; the middle age was 42.5.
Wilfred was 37. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Wilfred was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Wilfred was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 40% of these deaths at Cairo Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Cairo Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Cairo Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Wilfred among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cairo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.