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Incident
Detective William Rolniak was shot and killed execution-style after being taken hostage inside the Riverdale police station.
The suspect had been in custody on charges of attempted murder, home invasion, and aggravated kidnapping after breaking into a home and abducting his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint nine days earlier, despite having an order of protection issued against him. The suspect had just finished being interviewed by an assistant state's attorney and was being transferred from an interview room to the lockup area of the station when he grabbed Detective Rolniak's service weapon out of its holster at approximately 8:15 pm. The suspect was not handcuffed at the time because he had been cooperating with the authorities.
The suspect then forced Detective Rolniak out of the police station, took him behind a building across the street, and shot him in the head. The suspect attempted to flee by trying to carjack three different vehicles, shooting and wounding an elderly man who refused to give up his vehicle. Three other officers in pursuit of the suspect ordered him to drop the weapon, but instead, he aimed the gun at the officers, who then shot and killed him. Detective Rolniak was transported to Christ Medical Center where he died two hours later.
Detective Rolniak was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Riverdale Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two teenage daughters, parents, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 — U.S. Air Force. 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.
Detective Rolniak gave the Riverdale Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Riverdale 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 Rolniak Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Riverdale Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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 2004, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 39. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. William had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 39. 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 had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Riverdale Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
William Rolniak Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Rolniak Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
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