Butte County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Thursday, July 26, 2001
Add to My HeroesWilliam Robert Hunter
Deputy William Hunter and Lieutenant Estes were shot and killed after responding to a call involving one neighbor threatening another.
As Deputy Hunter responded to the scene, the original reporting party called back and stated that the subject had stolen a firearm. Deputy Hunter then requested backup, and Lieutenant Estes, who was in the area, volunteered and responded to the scene, arriving 19 minutes after Deputy Hunter.
Deputy Hunter entered the cabin, where he was ambushed by the subject as he walked around the corner just inside the front door. The suspect shot him in the head, fatally wounding him. When Lieutenant Estes entered the cabin, he exchanged shots with the suspect at a range of three feet. Lieutenant Estes' weapon was found with one round remaining and had been jammed when it was struck by one of the suspect's rounds. The exchange of gunfire between Lieutenant Estes and the suspect left both men fatally wounded.
When dispatch was unable to reach either officer, additional units were sent by the California Highway Patrol. When they arrived, they located both cruisers parked in front of the small cabin. The sheriff's department's SWAT team was then called out. After firing tear gas, entry was made into the home where the bodies of Deputy Hunter, Lieutenant Estes, and the suspect were located. The suspect was described as a survivalist who was often seen carrying weapons.
Deputy Hunter had been employed with the Butte County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 3 years
- Badge 81
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Also killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 77 ReflectionsIt's that time of year again when you and Larry come to the forefront of my memory. You two are always in my thoughts, just more so each July.
M. Huber, Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office
July 4, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Jonathan Diller
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: March 25, 2024
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024