United States of America
U.S. Navy · United States 
William Joseph Heffernan
1987
William Joseph Heffernan served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Deputy Sheriff William Heffernan and Deputy Sheriff John Saxerud were shot and killed by a man they had arrested for drunk driving. As they took the man into the processing area of the jail, the man pulled out a concealed handgun and shot them both, killing them almost instantly. The suspect was convicted of two counts of aggravated first-degree murder and sentenced to two life terms. Deputy Heffernan was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Island County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
Keepsakes
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
Island County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Sheriff
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmzgxwdd9bqwds60qbdz
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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