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Incident
Undersheriff Abbott succumbed to a gunshot blast sustained three days earlier while attempting to serve an insanity warrant. The suspect was declared not to be insane and convicted of first degree manslaughter.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Undersheriff Abbott gave the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Abbott.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 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 1912, 6 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
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 39. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 39. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 39. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.4% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cleveland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
