Deputy Sheriff William G. Truesdale, 47, was killed while escorting prisoners to the Alexandria city jail on January 27, 1981. A Korean War veteran and eight-year member of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, Truesdale was described as composed and fair with inmates; he was a husband and father of four.

As the deputies and three prisoners climbed the jail stairs, Wilbert Lee Evans, who was manacled to another inmate and in Alexandria for an extradition hearing on murder and robbery charges from North Carolina, overpowered Truesdale and obtained his .38-caliber revolver. Evans fired, striking Truesdale in the chest and causing him to fall down the steps. Evans then shot off his handcuffs and fled; officers quickly converged and apprehended him in a nearby parking lot after Evans shot himself. Truesdale died at Alexandria Hospital at 5:50 p.m.

Evans was charged with murder. The detention center was later renamed the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in his honor. Does anyone have memories of Deputy Truesdale or details about that day that could add context to this case?