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William Russell Mehlhorn Jr.
Incident
Patrolman William Mehlhorn was shot and killed with his own weapon, a .357-caliber Colt revolver, while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect. The suspect was caught by the desk clerk at the Martin Hotel, located at 514 Sycamore Street, stealing money from the cash register. The man fled, and the clerk followed him. When Patrolman Mehlhorn and another officer arrived, they pursued the suspect on foot. In the alley behind the hotel and off Park Avenue, Patrolman Mehlhorn tackled the suspect, and a struggle ensued. The suspect grabbed his weapon and fired, striking him in his hand and entering his abdomen. The suspect continued to run and fired at additional officers pursuing him. He was apprehended when he was shot by one of the officers. The suspect, who was a convicted felon, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. His wound caused him to be paralyzed until his death six years later. Patrolman Mehlhorn was a United States Navy WWII veteran and a United States Marine Corps Reserve Korean War veteran. He had served with the Waterloo Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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. Marine Corps. 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.
Patrolman Mehlhorn gave the Waterloo Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterloo community, and 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 Russell Mehlhorn Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Waterloo Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 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 1956, 1 officer at Waterloo Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 2.
In 1956, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1956, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 32. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Waterloo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.8 and 30.5; the middle age was 29. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
William was 32. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 32. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 32. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 20% of these deaths at Waterloo Police Department; July holds the most, 60%. Saturdays: 20%.
January holds 5.4% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Saturdays: 22.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Waterloo Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% 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.
His people
Waterloo Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William Russell Mehlhorn Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Russell Mehlhorn 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
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Waterloo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
