History
Remembering William Degan Twenty Years Later
On August 21, 1992, Deputy U.S. Marshal William F. Degan was killed in a
firefight in a remote area of Northern Idaho known as “Ruby Ridge.”
Although the location is usually associated with a series of tragic
events involving law enforcement operations, and the underlying
sentiment towards them, there was a very real loss in our own agency
that was often overshadowed in the headlines and hearings.
A former football star at the University of New Hampshire, Bill Degan
started with the U.S. Marshals Service in 1978. He graduated first in
his basic training class and became a valued member of the Special
Operations Group (SOG). As energetic as he was successful, he was
embroiled in some of our most difficult missions of the time. These
included the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, the arrest of a fugitive who
killed two Boston police officers, and the capture of the founders of
the “Church of Love” organization. As the SOG Commander during the
operations following Hurricane Hugo in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, he
calmly directed the entire response command. His leadership those
crucial days earned him the Director’s Special Achievement Award in
1989.
As part of the team that pursued a fugitive who failed to appear in
court, Deputy U.S. Marshal Degan and his five fellow deputies were
attempting to determine a program for capture on that remote mountain
terrain. Although the teams positioned themselves carefully, they were
discovered. In the course of trying to cover two fellow deputies and
allow them to gain cover, Bill Degan was fatally wounded. During the
confusion in the firefight that followed, the deputies attempted to
recover him and get back to their encampment, but were pinned down until
a deputy with a state police team reinforced them.
The years since Deputy U.S. Marshal Degan’s funeral and burial in his
native North Quincy, Massachusetts were ones that reflected on his
memory. For a number of years afterward, a golf tournament and other
events for the benefit of his family was proudly carried out. Both the
Special Operations Tactical Facility at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, and
a dedicated new building in Boston, were named for Bill Degan. Perhaps
the greatest honor was that his son William follows in his footsteps
with the U.S. Marshals Service today.
At the time, U.S. Marshals Director Henry E. Hudson sent a nationwide
message to district offices regarding Ruby Ridge. He stated, “Bill Degan
died in the company of his friends, performing the duties he enjoyed
most, in the job he loved. His bravery will set a standard by which
every Deputy United States Marshal will be measured.” Those who had the
pleasure to know Bill Degan believed that was the truest statement that
could be made. He was very steadfast and kind. Our thoughts go out in
remembrance to his family at this time. |
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