Highlands County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Monday, May 7, 2018
Add to My HeroesWilliam Jackson Gentry, Jr.
Deputy Sheriff William Gentry succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night while responding to an animal abuse call at a home in the 200 block of Baltimore Way in which a homeowner's cat had been fatally shot with a pellet gun.
He and a deputy he was training had responded to the victim's home. During the investigation Deputy Gentry went to the suspect's home, a convicted felon who lived next door, to make contact with him. As he stood at the front door the suspect opened fire on him, shooting him in the head.
The 69-year-old subject was taken into custody at the scene and charged with numerous counts.
Deputy Gentry was flown to Lee Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wound the following day.
Deputy Gentry had served with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office for 13 years. He is survived by a brother, who also serves with the agency.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour 13 years
- Badge 2247
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, May 6, 2018
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender In custody
Most Recent Reflection
View all 196 ReflectionsSusan and Jack, I think about William every day. I think about the 4 wheelers, the pools, the forts...
It was really the perfect childhood for our boys. My heart aches for your family.
Catherine Witt
An old friend and neighbor
May 30, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024