Wilburn “Willie” Belcher

How they died

Deadly force

Deputy Wright came to talk with Belcher about his 17-year-old stepson, Dale Griffin, who had reportedly confessed to breaking into the neighbor's house. As the deputy entered Belcher's house with the teen, Belcher came out of a back room with a 3-foot-long table leg and advanced toward the deputy. The deputy fired once or twice (reports vary), because he thought his life was in danger. Belcher's family claims that no permission was given to enter the house, but the State Attorney's Office decided that issue is "immaterial to the question of whether Dep. Wright was justified." No confrontation between the two was reported before the incident.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Wilburn “Willie” Belcher, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources