Island County Sheriff's Office, Washington
End of Watch Saturday, November 14, 1987
Add to My HeroesWilliam Joseph Heffernan
Deputy Sheriff William Heffernan and Deputy Sheriff John Saxerud were shot and killed by a man they had arrested for drunk driving.
As they took the man into the processing area of the jail, the man pulled out a concealed handgun and shot them both, killing them almost instantly.
The suspect was convicted of two counts of aggravated first-degree murder and sentenced to two life terms.
Deputy Heffernan was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Island County Sheriff's Office for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 45
- Tour 9 years
- Badge 317
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Related LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff John Robert Saxerud
Island County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: November 14, 1987
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsYou were my mentor, my partner and my friend. You continued to ride with me in my heart for the next 30 years. Rest my brother.
Deputy Dee Johnson
Island County Sheriff’s Office
June 26, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Hector Cuevas, Jr.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: March 17, 2025
Sergeant Joseph Anthony Azcona
Newark Police Division, NJ
EOW: March 8, 2025
Police Officer Felicia Dee Reilly
Saint Paul Police Department, MN
EOW: March 1, 2025
Deputy Sergeant Martin Shields, Jr.
Hinds County Sheriff's Office, MS
EOW: February 23, 2025
Police Officer Christopher M. L. Reese
Virginia Beach Police Department, VA
EOW: February 22, 2025
Police Officer Cameron Robert Girvin
Virginia Beach Police Department, VA
EOW: February 22, 2025
Patrolman Andrew William Duarte
West York Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: February 22, 2025
Trooper Kyle McAcy
Nebraska State Patrol, NE
EOW: February 17, 2025
Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025