Deputy William Myers was shot and killed while attempting to take a mentally ill person into custody.

The suspect's family had signed papers to have him committed to the psychiatric ward of Farmington State Hospital. Deputy Myers and Deputy Virgil Dees were sent to the family' s farm near LaForge to pick him up. They found the suspect about 200 yards from the house and became involved in a struggle when they attempted to handcuff him. During the struggle the suspect obtained control of Deputy Myers handgun and shot him. The suspect then fired at the other deputy sheriff. A few minutes later as the his relatives attempted to get him to give up the handgun, the suspect shot himself. Deputy Myers was taken to Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee for treatment. Deputy Myers was paralyzed from the waist down as a result the attack. His condition was thought to be improving but he ultimately died from his wounds on November 7th at 9:30 am.

Deputy Myers served in law enforcement for 12 years. He replaced Deputy Cletus Phillips in 1960 when he was killed in a gunfight attempting to effect an arrest. Deputy Myers previously worked as a city marshal for Portageville and New Madrid. He was survived by his wife, Marie, two sons and a daughter.