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Incident
City Marshal William Cross was shot and fatally wounding while attempting to quell a disturbance outside of a saloon on Gervais Street on December 14th, 1855.
He succumbed to his wounds on December 21st, 1855.
The subject who shot him was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging on April 25th, 1856.
Marshal Cross was a veteran of the Palmetto Regiment of the Mexican-American War.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmhf4q3k2txfqd1s77fc- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
City Marshal Cross served with the Columbia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Thomas Cross served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbia Police Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1855, 1 officer at Columbia Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1855, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1855, 14 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 166th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1855, 17 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 166th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 28. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Columbia Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 41.5; the middle age was 30.
William was 28. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 28. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 16.7% of these deaths at Columbia Police Department; July holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 16.7%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Columbia Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Columbia Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William Thomas Cross
Dec 21, 1855
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Hilton Theodore Smith May 18, 1910
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Henry Fort Brown
Aug 17, 1921
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James Walter Hite
Jun 25, 1934
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Cecil Williamson Watford
Jul 1, 1957
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Philip George Schlatterer
Jul 25, 1974
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Dale Edson Barkley
Jan 27, 1981
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Stacy Lynn Case
Nov 7, 2015
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Robert John Hall
Jul 14, 2020
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Tyrell Owens-Riley
Sep 24, 2022
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Christopher DeLong Jr
Aug 29, 2026
Where
Military Service
William Thomas Cross served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Thomas Cross’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Columbia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
