Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Goodwin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 14, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Goodwin,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USN. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

March 2, 2019

John 15:13 |
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends

W.D. White

April 10, 2018

Deputy Goodwin, you were hero and a pioneer. 49 years ago today you lost your life doing a job that for so long wouldn't have been open to you. The county of Halifax lost much, but so did the nation. Thank you for ALL your service and may God Bless you and all of your descendants and family. Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

March 2, 2018

To my Uncle 'Kinney Boy', the nickname that you were so affectionately known by... I so wish that I was given the privilege & honor 2 have met you personally. Although my mother (your oldest sister), your siblings & other family members kept your memory alive, I still have this feeling of being cheated. My Aunt Anne showed me a wall where your name was etched, you have a daughter that u were unfortunately not able to ever meet. I named my son after you in your honor(despite the back lash) I pray that your legacy lives FOREVER & that WE NEVER loose the focus on the bigger pic, ....YOU, Mr McKinley Goodwin! In the end it has always been about your accomplishments & your determination to make change! It's w/sincerest thought that I type these words NOT to shame or embarrass my family.

Cynthia
niece

December 10, 2017

My dearest brother:
So many years have passed and the pain of your death remains with me, family, friends, and others. It is a constant, nagging pain, and one that will always be with me no matter where I go and no matter what I do. I left America in August 1986 and took an assignment with the US government living and working overseas. In each country where I lived and worked, i.e. Japan, England, and Iceland, I always thought about you. Yes, I was the first in our family to earn an undergraduate degree, a Master’s Degree in Education plus approximately 125 post graduate credits in professional certification and technology.
Your tour as a sailor in the US Navy, afforded you the opportunity to see parts of the world beyond Roanoke Rapids and North Carolina. I remember at one time you saying, "I have seen six of the Seven Wonders of the World, but there is no place better than home, Roanoke Rapids, NC.” I often wondered, were you there in Japan, Iceland? I could feel your presence with me while living in those countries and a strong sense of your presence and spirituality was with me, especially so when living in Iceland. I felt so close to the heavens and could see you sitting on the throne next to our Supreme Being and his son, Christ Jesus along with his angels.
What a fantastic experience for you to see six of the Seven Wonders of the World. God has truly blessed the two of us. We came from such humble beginnings and who were raised by our grandmother, a share cropper. We shared a four room shack with 14 others. A shack/house without running water, toilets and was heated by a wood burning stove. We walked at least 3 miles to school, to a two-room school house each day. Although our family was poor and lacked material possessions, we always had much love from our grandmother and our school teacher, Mrs. Gray.
To me, your sudden death was a catastrophic historical event, with masses of people, members of the surrounding sheriff and police department, letters of condolences from local, county, and state dignitaries who were in present at your memorial services and burial. The small country church was packed with spectators spilling out of the church. There appeared to be hundreds of cars parked alongside the road. The theme was, “Deputy Sheriff Killed.”
At your burial site, you were given a military funeral. The ceremony included the folding and presenting of the flag of the United States to your wife and the playing of Taps and lastly, the draping of a flag over your coffin. Perhaps, one day there will be a movie about your life and death which can be shared with people all over the world. If this happens, this will certainly be a blessing from God.
Throughout the years and to present, we continue to grieve your loss and will continue to celebrate your life. We will continue to ask, “What, in fact, was the cause of his death?” I have sent numerous written requests to law enforcement officers, FBI, and the Governor of the State of North Carolina requesting an investigation of your death. I was given promises for an investigation; however, never received any results other than “there are no findings” which led me to believe that an investigation, in fact, never occurred.
I just want you to know that you have and will always be with me and family members who are still living, friends and others who would like to know what caused your sudden death. Very soon, God will grant us the vision, spirit, and wisdom to learn “who” took you away from us. We must “wait and watch and watch and wait” for the Lord to help us find the truth about your death. Hurt through loss, I’ve become yet a wiser person. Sisterly Love, Cozie M. Goodwin Lassiter.

Cozie M. Goodwin Lassiter
Sister

May 6, 2016

I hope that the police will open a new investigation into the murder of my Uncle William McKinley aka (Kenny Boy). After so many years my mother is still mourning the lost of her brother. If anyone has any information about the death of my uncle please come forward. Someone knows something.

William Goodwin Lassiter
Nephew

April 19, 2016

I never had a chance to meet you but you are my hero uncle William I was fortunate enough to be named after you so I will wear your name proudly

Mckinley Fulton
Nephew

August 28, 2015

My uncle served the Greensboro, NC police and later the Sheriff's department. I recently went into my local police station and noted those that gave their lives in the line of duty. From there I checked all those that gave their lives for my safety.
I have noted the death of Deputy William Goodwin. In reading this, I wonder what level of investigation was done? In 2015, please tell me his death was re-investigated with better and newer eyes.

Jo Anne Butler Chrisco
concerned citizen

January 6, 2015

I think about you so much. I often visit the wall in Washington, D.C. where your name and other names of officers are who died in the line of duty. You just don't know how much you are missed. Rest in peace, my brother.

Anne S. Savage
Sister

December 5, 2011

Rest in Peace brother! Thank you for your courage and service.

Deputy Sheriff T.B. Dorsey
Pitt County (NC) Sheriffs Office

March 2, 2011

When I was a Deputy in Dare County, N.C. in the late 80's, I made routine transports to/from the Halifax County jail. I never knew that a Halifax Deputy had been killed in the line of duty when I was just 4 years old. You are not forgotten Deputy Goodwin! I pray your family has found peace as the years have passed knowing that you died while working in a noble profession. God Bless You Deputy!

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin Taylor

February 17, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to the native state of myself and my cherished son Larry Lasater who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 2, 2009

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

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 29, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 2, 2008

It is not how he lived his life that made him a hero, it is how he died. Deputy Goodwin will never be forgotten. He is one of our fallen heroes.

Lt. L.J. Burch
Halifax County Sheriff's Office

December 15, 2007

It is not how he lived his life that made him a hero, it is how he died. Deputy Goodwin will never be forgotten. He is one of our fallen heroes.

Lt. L.J. Burch
Halifax County Sheriff's Office

December 15, 2007

You were killed the day I was born.
I like to think that I picked up the torch that day and will proudly carry it till my time is also done.
Rest in peace my friend.

Sgt
Metropolitan police London England

November 14, 2007

Deputy Goodwin...thank you for your service & God bless.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police

March 16, 2004