Reserve Deputy Sheriff Henry Jorden Willeford, Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas

Reserve Deputy Sheriff Henry Jorden Willeford

Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas

End of Watch Monday, November 16, 2009

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Henry Jorden Willeford

Reserve Deputy Henry Willeford succumbed to injuries sustained seven years earlier when he was struck by a vehicle.

He was en route home at the end of his shift when he encountered a deer carcass blocking a lane of traffic. He activated his vehicle's emergency equipment and attempted to remove the deer. As he did so he was struck by an oncoming vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

He remained bedridden until succumbing to his injuries on November 16, 2009.

Deputy Willeford had served in law enforcement for 55 years. He is survived by his wife and 15 children.

Bio

Age 75
Tour 55 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Struck by vehicle
Incident Date Thursday, June 13, 2002

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Deputy "Hank" Willeford, I remember the night of the incident well as I was off duty and just like "Hank" and I jumped in my patrol car to help in any way I could. I ended up answering calls and had to run code through the accident scene to an active shooting call while others were working the scene and helping "Hank". As a younger officer I would often catch "Ole Hank" watching my traffic stops if I was near his home. He would often watch over me until the completion of my stops and then drive up and tell me that if anything went bad he would be there to get my six. "Hank" was one of the good guys.

Patrolman William Fosko
Conway Arkansas Police Department

December 3, 2019