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William Riley Mullins Jr.
Incident
Patrol Officer William Mullins was shot and killed by a DUI suspect after a brief chase. Officer Mullins had been notified via his radio to be on the lookout for an intoxicated driver arriving into Yorktown from Cuero. He stopped the vehicle and checked the license and registration, and returned to his cruiser to call for backup when the suspect sped away. Officer Mullins chased him to his residence on State Highway 119, where Officer Mullins notified dispatch that he needed backup transport for the suspect to the Cuero County Jail. In the meantime, Officer Mullins exited his vehicle to speak to a relative of the suspect, and as both approached the suspect, the suspect opened fire, striking Officer Mullins in the head and chest. The backup unit arrived and found Officer Mullins on the ground and immediately called for an ambulance and assistance. Officer Mullins was transported to the Yorktown Memorial Hospital where he died that evening. The suspect was apprehended at the scene. He was originally sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison after an appeal in August of 1979. He was paroled on November 2, 2022, but was denied parole on January 11, 2023, due to protests. Officer Mullins was a United States Air Force veteran who served with the Yorktown Police Department for only three months and had previously served with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, parents, and three siblings.
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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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.
Patrol Officer Mullins gave the Yorktown Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yorktown 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 Riley Mullins Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Yorktown Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 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 1976, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. William had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 35. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 35. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Yorktown Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
William Riley Mullins Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Riley Mullins 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.
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