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Incident
Sergeant Dickerson was shot and killed when he interrupted an escape attempt at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office jail on Clinton Street in Detroit. A prisoner was in the process of taking another deputy hostage when Sergeant Dickerson surprised him. The suspect shot and killed him and then attempted to escape with the hostage. The keys that the deputy had did not open all of the doors, and the suspect could not escape and gave up without further incident. The man was convicted of murdering a peace officer and sentenced to life. It is believed that the suspect's gun was smuggled to him by his brother. Sergeant Dickerson had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for 23 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a grandson, a brother, and a sister. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office's newest jail was named the Dickerson Detention Facility in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a grandson, a brother, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Dickerson gave the Wayne County Sheriff's Office 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Dickerson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has lost 14 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 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 1991, 1 officer at Wayne County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1991, 6 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 52. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Wayne County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 47.3; the middle age was 35.5. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 52. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 52. 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 had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 28.6% of these deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 28.6%.
September holds 8.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 12.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 14 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has 14 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Charles Small Jul 6, 1857
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Thomas Clancy May 5, 1860
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Thomas Lee Wojtowicz Nov 12, 1968
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Henry C. Henderson
Mar 9, 1972
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Paul Lee Mickel
Nov 18, 1973
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Thomas Eugene Andrews
Dec 4, 1976
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William Dickerson
Sep 11, 1991
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Lee Eric Smith
Aug 14, 2018
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Donafay Collins
Mar 25, 2020
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Dean Michael Savard
Apr 3, 2020
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Bryant Searcy
Sep 2, 2020
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Benny N. Napoleon
Dec 17, 2020
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John Joseph Wojciechowski
Dec 21, 2021
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Ernest M. Robinson
Jan 18, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Wayne County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
