Deputy Sheriff Will Ward
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
California
End of Watch: Monday, November 27, 1899

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: Saturday, November 11, 1899
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Hanged

Deputy Ward succumbed to wounds sustained when he was beaten while transporting a prisoner to San Quentin Prison on the steamer Santa Rosa. Deputy Ward was attacked by the man as the steamer was docked at Port Harford in San Luis Obispo County. The inmate beat him over the head with a heavy water bottle and them jumped overboard in an escape attempt. The man was taken into custody by a Santa Barbara County deputy who was on the ship. Deputy Ward was taken to the San Luis Obispo County Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds 16 days later.

The suspect was convicted of murder and hanged at San Quentin Prison the following year.