Jack County Sheriff's Department, Texas
End of Watch: Friday, July 17, 1885
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 17, 1885
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: not guilty and dismissed on two suspects
On March 13, 1884, Jack County Deputy Sheriff J.E. Richardson shot and killed a man named Caleb, Cale, Parrott. William King was the sheriff at the time Richardson killed Parrott. On Friday, July 17, 1885, William King was riding his horse on the street in front on Crutchfield's Saloon in Jacksboro. Floyd Parrott and Trammell Hickman stepped out of the saloon. Floyd Parrott drew his pistol and shot King, killing him instantly.
Floyd Parrott was apparently still upset about the death of his brother, and shot King in retaliation. Sheriff King did not arrest Deputy Richardson at the time of the shooting. Richardson was later indicted and tried in Young County on a change of venue for the killing of Cale Parrott. The court records have since been lost.
Floyd Parrott and Trammell Hickman were indicted for the murder of William King. In January 1886, Floyd Parrott was found not guilty by a Jack County jury. The charges against Trammell Hickman were dismissed at the request of the district attorney for lack of sufficient evidence.
William M. King was elected sheriff of Jack County on November 2, 1880 and re-elected on November 7, 1882 and served until 1884 when his term of office ended. King was survived by his wife Paradine. They had eight children. William King and his wife Paradine are buried in the King Cemetery, Jack County, Texas.