Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To give your life and career, Sheriff Langston for Leon County Florida and its people at the tender young age of twenty-four speaks volumes of your honor and humbleness never to be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2017

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 27, 2016

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

November 23, 2014

Thank you for your courage to protect and giving your life in the line of duty. You've left a legacy.
Thank you to all who have shared and contributed information. It is an honor to know that you were my Great, Great Grandfather.

Laura Mullinax
Great, Great Grandaughter

November 23, 2014

In remembrance of My Uncle Willie Langston Sheriff of Leon Co. Florida killed in the line of duty on March 19. 1909 and to all the brave Men and Women who serve and protect us each day may God bless and keep you safe each day. You have my everlasting thanks.

Ricky A Langston
Nephew

April 24, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 103rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 19, 2012

Rest in Peace, Sheriff Langston. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all, and you sir are one of them. Continue to rest in peace.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

March 19, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 19, 2010

The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion
Proverbs 28:1

You are never forgotten

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

March 19, 2009

Sheriff Langston your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 23, 2008

YOU ARE REMREMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 30, 2008

Out of the Past: Leon County sheriff gunned down in 1909

Sunday, November 26, 2006

By Marlene Womack, Contributing Writer

Sheriff William M. Langston of Leon County was a young man destined for great things, but Mick Morris gunned him down on Friday, March 19, 1909, at a turpentine camp near Spring Hill.

Langston began his career in law enforcement as a deputy under Sheriff John A. Pearce, who served between 1885-1903. When John Henderson was elected mayor of Tallahassee, he appointed Langston as chief of police. Langston remained in that position until Hopkins resigned his position as sheriff. Then the governor appointed Langston to succeed him.

In 1908, Langston ran for the regular term of sheriff and won without any opposition. He’d been in office only a few months when he received a warrant from Decatur County, Ga., on March 19 for the arrest of Mick Morris. When Langston learned that Morris was at a nearby turpentine camp, he asked his deputy, T. Hawes, to accompany him to the camp.
Langston instructed Hawes to watch from a certain point as he approached the house, where Morris reportedly was staying. When no one answered the door, the sheriff boldly entered the house. Then Hawes heard gunfire.

The deputy rushed in and found the Langston on the floor with a load of buckshot in his abdomen. As he lay dying, the sheriff urged Hawes to arrest Morris. But while the deputy tried to help Langston, Morris escaped into the woods.

While burial arrangements were taking place, posses were formed from Tallahassee, Quincy, Bainbridge and Thomasville with bloodhounds to scour the area. Several arrests were made but none of the men proved to be Morris.

On Tuesday, March 30, 1908, Gov. Albert W. Gilchrist received word that the alleged murderer of Sheriff Langston had been captured and was held in Thomasville. Later, the governor received a telegram that Morris would not consent to be brought back to Florida. This meant Gilchrist would have to send a request for an extradition warrant to Gov. Hoke Smith in Atlanta.

Gilchrist signed the form, but with knowledge of mounting vigilante justice, the governor wired Judge B.H. Palmer of Lake City to come to Tallahassee at his earliest possible date to hold a special term of court for the trial of Morris. Palmer replied “at any time until April 12.”
After receiving the dates from Palmer, “Gilcrist appointed, assigned and required Palmer” to hold a special term commencing on Monday, April 5.

Later, R.P. Williams, owner of the turpentine camp where Langston was brutally murdered, blamed the use of blind tiger whiskey (sale of moonshine), which the men had somehow managed to obtain.

Andrew Waber

July 1, 2007

Sheriff Langston,
your service to our community and your ultimate sacrafice are not forgotten. Rest In Peace, brother.

Mike Bradford
Tallahassee Police-LCSD

June 2, 2006

Rest in peace Sheriff.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

March 16, 2004