Patrolman William Drury died from a gunshot wound he suffered over two months earlier while taking a Navy deserter to the federal building in Louisville, Kentucky.

   The deserter had been arrested in Jeffersonville and was being taken by Patrolman Drury and another officer to be turned over to federal authorities. As Patrolman Drury exited the patrol car in the building's parking lot, the deserter suddenly grabbed his revolver and shot him in the throat at point-blank range before fleeing on foot.

   Patrolman Drury was initially taken to Louisville General Hospital and later to Clark County Memorial Hospital, in Jeffersonville, where he died.

   The 21-year-old offender was located in New Albany that evening by Navy Shore Patrol officers where he was shot and wounded during an exchange of gunfire with them. He died while in custody 11 days later at the U.S. Marine Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

   Patrolman Drury was survived by four sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren, father and two sisters.